Glomerulonephritis

Question 1

What is meant by the following terms:

• “Nephritis”
• “Glomerulonephritis”

Answer 1

• “Nephritis” means general inflammation of the kidney
• “Glomerulonephritis” also means inflammation of the kidney, specifically of the glomerulus (there are many types of glomerulonephritis!)

Question 2

What is meant by nephritic syndrome?

Answer 2

Nephritic syndrome means there are the following symptoms/signs:

• Oliguria
• Haematuria
• Proteinuria ( < 3g/24h)
• Oedema

Question 3

What is meant by nephrotic syndrome?

Answer 3

Nephrotic syndrome means there are the following symptoms/signs:

• Proteinuria ( > 3g per 24h)
• Hypoalbuminaemia
• Oedema

Question 4

What is meant by the term “interstitial nephritis”?

What are the two key types of interstitial nephritis?

Answer 4

Inflammation of the spaces between the renal tubules (the interstitium)

Two key types:

• Acute interstitial nephritis
• Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis

Question 5

What is meant by the term “glomerulosclerosis” ?

What can cause this?

Answer 5

“Glomerulosclerosis” means scarring of the glomerulus

This can be caused by any type of glomerulonephritis

Question 6

Give some examples of specific types of glomerulonephritis

Answer 6

Types of glomerulonephritis:

• Minimal change disease
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• IgA nephropathy (AKA Berger’s disease)
• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
• Goodpasture syndrome

Question 7

Most types of glomerulonephritis are treated with…

Answer 7

Immunosuppression (e.g. steroids)

Question 8

What is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in…

a) children
b) adults

Answer 8

a) Minimal change disease

b) Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Question 9

The most common cause of primary glomerulonephritis is…

Answer 9

IgA nephropathy (AKA Berger’s disease)

Question 10

Describe the typical clinical picture of a patient with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis

Answer 10

1-3 weeks following streptococcal infection (e.g. tonsillitis, impetigo) patient develops a nephritic syndrome

Question 11

What is Goodpasture Syndrome?

Describe the typical presentation of this condition

Answer 11

Anti-GMB (glomerular basement membrane) antibodies attack the glomerulus and pulmonary basement membranes, causing glomerulonephritis and pulmonary haemorrhage

Typical presentation:
- Patient presents with AKI/nephritic syndrome and haemoptysis