Lupus nephritis may remit despite HIV

A patient with biopsy-confirmed renal disease achieved remission during immunosuppressive therapy while maintaining stable HIV control.

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A 50-year-old woman with well-controlled HIV had biopsy-confirmed class III lupus nephritis, with preserved CD4 counts and low viral load before treatment.
2

She received corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine while continuing antiretroviral therapy.
3

By day 120, urinary protein excretion fell from 1,600 to 230 mg/day, and the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio declined from 1.8 to 0.3.
4

Complete renal remission occurred by 6 months with preserved kidney function, while HIV viral load and CD4 count remained stable.
5

The single-patient report had no repeat renal biopsy and limited follow-up, restricting generalization, particularly to people with uncontrolled HIV or advanced immunodeficiency.

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