Glomerular disease with dense deposit disease (Q107372)

A specific glomerular appearance with discontinuous electron dense bands within the glomerular basement membrane. There is intense linear or band like immuno-staining for complement component 3 (C3) with little or no immunoglobulin. Previously known as Type II membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis but actually the light microscopic appearance can vary widely. Dense deposit disease is the result of activation of the alternative complement pathway associated, uncontrolled activation of C3 convertase. In some cases partial lipodystrophy is also associated.