glomerulonephritis

Examples of glomerulonephritis in the following topics:

• Glomerular Diseases

  • Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a renal disease (usually of both kidneys) characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, or small blood vessels in the kidneys.
  • Micrograph of a crescentic glomerulonephritis that was shown to be anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.
  • Distinguish between the glomerular diseases of Glomerulonephritis (GN) and Goodpasture's syndrome

• Urinalysis

  • Red blood cell casts – associated with glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, or malignant hypertension
  • White blood cell casts – associated with acute interstitial nephritis, exudative glomerulonephritis, or severe pyelonephritis

• Type III (Immune Complex) Reactions

  • Immune complex glomerulonephritis, as seen in Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an example of IgA involvement in a nephropathy.
  • Hence, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis and arthritis are commonly-associated conditions as a result of type III hypersensitivity responses.
  • Immune Complex Glomerulonephritis, as seen in Henoch-Schönlein purpura; this is an example of IgA involvement in a nephropathy.

• The Complement System and Heart Disease

  • This is similar to the post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

• Hypersensitivity

  • Associated disorders: Serum sickness, Arthus reaction, Rheumatoid arthritis, Post streptococcal glomerulonephritis, lupus Nephritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (Hypersensitivity pneumonitis).

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  • Certain types of lupus nephritis, such as diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, require bouts of cytotoxic drugs.
  • Cyclophosphamide is used for severe glomerulonephritis or other organ-damaging complications.

• Basement Membranes and Diseases

  • Genetic defects in the collagen fibers of the basement membrane cause Alport syndrome or hereditary nephritis, a genetic disorder characterized by glomerulonephritis, endstage kidney disease, and hearing loss.

• Role of the Complement System in Immunity

  • It is thought that the complement system might play a role in many diseases with an immune component, such as Barraquer-Simons Syndrome, asthma, lupus erythematosus, glomerulonephritis, various forms of arthritis, autoimmune heart disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, and rejection of transplanted organs.