# IgG4-Related Disease With Lung and Kidney Involvement: A Case Report

**Authors:** Andreia Sá Lima, Tiago Castro Pinto, Luísa Veiga de Sousa, P. Ricardo Pereira

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99944 · Cureus · 2025-12-23

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare instance of IgG4-related disease affecting the lungs and kidneys, emphasizing the importance of thorough clinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in highlighting the rare pulmonary and renal manifestations of IgG4-RD and the successful treatment with rituximab after steroid failure.

## Key findings

- IgG4-RD can present with atypical lung and kidney symptoms, mimicking other conditions.
- Rituximab induced remission in a patient who relapsed after corticosteroid tapering.
- Accurate diagnosis requires integrating clinical, serological, and histological data.

## Abstract

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare systemic fibroinflammatory condition that often mimics malignancy, infection, or autoimmune diseases, leading to diagnostic delays. Pulmonary and renal involvement in IgG4-RD are rare but pose significant diagnostic challenges. We describe the case of a man in his early 70s who was admitted due to presumed pneumonia and acute kidney injury (AKI). Despite antibiotic therapy, imaging tests revealed progressive pulmonary consolidations and ground-glass opacities. Laboratory tests showed elevated IgG4, hypocomplementemia, and elevated antinuclear antibody titers. Microbiological and cytological studies of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were unrevealing. Lung biopsy demonstrated IgG4-rich lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, confirming IgG4-RD. Months later, worsening kidney function led to the diagnosis of IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis. Initially responsive to corticosteroids, the patient relapsed upon tapering. Rituximab was then introduced, achieving disease remission and sustained stability. This case emphasizes IgG4-RD as a “great masquerader,” highlighting the need for careful integration of clinical, serological, and histological findings for accurate diagnosis.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** IgG4-related disease (MONDO:0017287), pneumonia (MONDO:0005249), acute kidney injury (MONDO:0002492), tubulointerstitial nephritis (MONDO:0001085)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** malignancy (MESH:D009369), fibroinflammatory condition (MESH:D020763), infection (MESH:D007239), autoimmune diseases (MESH:D001327), AKI (MESH:D058186), Pulmonary and renal involvement (MESH:C565423), pneumonia (MESH:D011014), and Kidney Involvement (MESH:D007674), pulmonary consolidations (MESH:D008171), tubulointerstitial nephritis (MESH:D009395), IgG4 (MESH:D000077733)
- **Chemicals:** Rituximab (MESH:D000069283)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12826407/full.md

## References

14 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12826407/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12826407