# Utility of Urinary β2-Microglobulin for Detection of Renal Sarcoidosis Without Pulmonary Involvement: A Case Report

**Authors:** Yuri Oue, Ryosuke Saiki, Tomohiro Murata, Kan Katayama, Kaoru Dohi

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/reports9010082 · Reports - Clinical Practice and Surgical Cases · 2026-03-10

## TL;DR

A case shows that high urinary β2-microglobulin can help detect kidney sarcoidosis early, even without lung involvement.

## Contribution

Highlights urinary β2-microglobulin as a novel diagnostic marker for renal sarcoidosis without pulmonary symptoms.

## Key findings

- Elevated urinary β2-microglobulin led to the diagnosis of granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis.
- Treatment with prednisolone improved renal function and resolved symptoms.
- The kidney was the primary site for diagnosing sarcoidosis in this case.

## Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by noncaseating granulomas. While pulmonary involvement is common, isolated renal involvement is rare and diagnostically challenging. We report a case emphasizing the utility of urinary tubular markers for early detection. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old woman with a history of suspected ocular sarcoidosis presented with progressive renal impairment and constitutional symptoms. Initial workup for systemic sarcoidosis was negative, leading to a misdiagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Her rising serum creatinine was initially attributed to dehydration. However, a marked elevation in urinary β2-microglobulin (33,736 μg/L) prompted a renal biopsy, which revealed granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis. Following prednisolone therapy, her renal function improved, and her fatigue resolved completely. Conclusions: This case demonstrates that the kidney can be the primary site for histological diagnosis in the absence of pulmonary lesions. Incorporating urinary β2-microglobulin into routine monitoring may facilitate the early detection of renal sarcoidosis, preventing diagnostic delays.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** prednisolone (PubChem CID 5755)
- **Diseases:** sarcoidosis (MONDO:0008399), chronic fatigue syndrome (MONDO:0005404)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** HLA-G (major histocompatibility complex, class I, G) [NCBI Gene 3135] {aka MHC-G}, OGA (O-GlcNAcase) [NCBI Gene 10724] {aka MEA5, MGEA5, NCOAT}, ALB (albumin) [NCBI Gene 213] {aka FDAHT, HSA, PRO0883, PRO0903, PRO1341}, IFNG (interferon gamma) [NCBI Gene 3458] {aka IFG, IFI, IMD69}, NAGLU (N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase) [NCBI Gene 4669] {aka CMT2V, MPS-IIIB, MPS3B, NAG, UFHSD}, ACE (angiotensin I converting enzyme) [NCBI Gene 1636] {aka ACE1, CD143, DCP, DCP1}, CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}, LOC102723407 (immunoglobulin heavy variable 4-38-2-like) [NCBI Gene 102723407] {aka IGHV4, IGHV4-30, IGHV4-38-2, IGHV4-39, IGHV4-b, IGVH4-39}, SLC17A5 (solute carrier family 17 member 5) [NCBI Gene 26503] {aka AST, ISSD, NSD, SD, SIALIN, SIASD}
- **Diseases:** hypercalcemia (MESH:D006934), inflammation (MESH:D007249), granulomas (MESH:D006099), Interstitial nephritis (MESH:D009395), granulomatous (MESH:D013968), anorexia (MESH:D000855), lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008206), fatigue (MESH:D005221), hypertension (MESH:D006973), hyperglycemia (MESH:D006943), fever (MESH:D005334), weight loss (MESH:D015431), anterior uveitis (MESH:D014606), blurred vision (MESH:D014786), fibrosis (MESH:D005355), autoimmune diseases (MESH:D001327), proteinuria (MESH:D011507), dehydration (MESH:D003681), ocular (MESH:D015817), IgG4-related disease (MESH:D000077733), Acute kidney injury (MESH:D058186), Renal Sarcoidosis (MESH:D012507), lung lesions (MESH:D008171), diabetic (MESH:D003920), nephrocalcinosis (MESH:D009397), involvement (MESH:C564676), systemic (MESH:D015619), Renal involvement (MESH:C565423), Sjogren's syndrome (MESH:D012859), anterior synechiae (MESH:D006175), sarcoid uveitis (MESH:D014605), TINU (MESH:C536922), tuberculosis (MESH:D014376), type 2 diabetes mellitus (MESH:D003924), glomerular disease (MESH:D007674), renal (MESH:D006030), Pulmonary Involvement (MESH:C566343), fungal (MESH:D009181), cardiac involvement (MESH:D006331), anterior segment disorder (MESH:C537775), chronic fatigue syndrome (MESH:D015673), injury to (MESH:D014947), granulomatous panuveitis (MESH:D015864), hematuria (MESH:D006417), chorioretinal atrophic lesions (MESH:D020966), tubular injury (MESH:D000230)
- **Chemicals:** Hematoxylin (MESH:D006416), linagliptin (MESH:D000069476), creatinine (MESH:D003404), uric acid (MESH:D014527), Na (MESH:D012964), prednisolone (MESH:D011239), K (MESH:D011188), Periodic acid (MESH:D010504), Cl (MESH:D002713), Eosin (MESH:D004801), urea nitrogen (MESH:C530477), chloride (MESH:D002712), HE (-), Cr (MESH:D002857), Ca (MESH:D002118)
- **Species:** Mycobacterium tuberculosis (species) [taxon 1773], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13030788/full.md

## References

14 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13030788/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13030788