Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma Developing Renal AA Amyloidosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Intern Med. 2025 Apr 15;64(8):1199-1204. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.4678-24. Epub 2025 Feb 8.

Abstract

AA amyloidosis is a rare renal complication of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (WM/LPL). A 66-year-old man with WM/LPL presented with nephrotic syndrome. A renal biopsy showed AA amyloidosis. Chemotherapy resulted in the remission of hematologic and nephrotic syndromes. Two years into follow-up, he became infected with coronavirus disease 2019 and had massive proteinuria, despite no relapse of WM/LPL. A second renal biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of AA amyloidosis. However, increased prednisolone did not improve proteinuria. The patient ultimately died of cryptococcal meningitis. This case highlights the diverse spectrum of renal involvement in monoclonal IgM-secreting diseases and difficulty in managing fatal complications.

Keywords: COVID-19; monoclonal IgM-secreting disease; nephrotic syndrome; prednisolone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis* / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis* / etiology
  • COVID-19 / complications
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases* / etiology
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / etiology
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia* / complications
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia* / diagnosis

Substances

  • Serum Amyloid A Protein

Supplementary concepts

  • AA amyloidosis