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Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a term used to refer to several kidney diseases (usually affecting both kidneys). Many of the diseases are characterised by inflammation either of the glomeruli or of the small blood vessels in the kidneys, hence the name, [ 1 ] but not all diseases necessarily have an inflammatory component.
Acute proliferative glomerulonephritis is a disorder of the small blood vessels of the kidney.It is a common complication of bacterial infections, typically skin infection by Streptococcus bacteria types 12, 4 and 1 but also after streptococcal pharyngitis, for which it is also known as postinfectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) or poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN). [4]
Diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) is a type of glomerulonephritis that is the most serious form of renal lesions in SLE and is also the most common, occurring in 35% to 60% of patients. [1] In absence of SLE, DPGN pathology looks more like Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis [citation needed]
Glomerulonephritis is characterized by inflammation and thinning of the glomerular basement membrane and the occurrence of small pores in the podocytes of the glomerulus. These pores become large enough to permit both proteins and red blood cells to pass into the urine (yielding proteinuria and hematuria , respectively).
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a type of glomerulonephritis caused by deposits in the kidney glomerular mesangium and basement membrane thickening, [2] activating the complement system and damaging the glomeruli. MPGN accounts for approximately 4% of primary renal causes of nephrotic syndrome in children and 7% in adults. [3]
Presentations of hematuria in the context of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis often resolve spontaneously, with a relatively benign course. [2] Presentation of nephrotic syndrome in the context of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis have been treated with immunosuppressants, such as steroids and cyclophosphamide. [ 2 ]
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a syndrome of the kidney that is characterized by a rapid loss of kidney function, [4] [5] (usually a 50% decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) within 3 months) [5] with glomerular crescent formation seen in at least 50% [5] or 75% [4] of glomeruli seen on kidney biopsies.
Since it is a result of SLE, this type of glomerulonephritis is said to be secondary, and has a different pattern and outcome from conditions with a primary cause originating in the kidney. [ 5 ] [ 2 ] The diagnosis of lupus nephritis depends on blood tests , urinalysis , X-rays, ultrasound scans of the kidneys, and a kidney biopsy .