Glomerulonephritis Flashcards
What is glomerulonephritis
Damage to glomerulus including glomerular basement membrane and glomerular capillaries, usually caused by inflammatory changes
Types of glomerulonephritis
Memrbanous glomerulonephritis, minimal change disease, focal-segmental glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, post-infectious glomerulonephritis, anti-GBM disease
Infectious causes of glomerulonephritis
Group A strep, Hep B + C, respiratory and GI infections, endocarditis, HIV
Systemic causes of glomerulonephritis
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anti-GBM, microscopic polyangitis, granulomatosis polyangitis, amyloidosis
Drugs which can cause glomerulonephritis
NSAIDs, gold, anabolic steroids
Metabolic disorders which can cause glomerulonephritis
Diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, malignancy, Alport’s
Symptoms and signs of glomerulonephritis
Asymptomatic, haematuria, proteinuria, oedema, HTN, joint pain, rash, fever, weight loss
Investigations into glomerulonephritis
Urinalysis, urine microscopy, U&Es, FBC, metabolic profile, lipid profile, CRP, testing for specific systemic causes, US and biopsy
What is rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis
Spectrum of conditions associated with severe glomerular injury
Type 1 causes of RPGN
Anti-GBM disease
Type 2 causes of RPGN
Immune complex deposition diseases - post-strep GN, lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, HSP
Type 3 causes of RPGN
Pauci-immune diseases - ANCAs (pANCE or cANCA)
Most common causes of glomerulonephritis
IgA nephropathy
Clinical feature of IgA nephropathy
Haematuria, mild proteinuria, hypertension (25%), can have evidence of CKD
Cause of IgA nephropathy
In predisposed people there is the synthesis of a type of IgA secondary to a respiratory or GI infection. These IgA complexes lodge and with activation of complement pathway cause injury. IgA deposits in mesangium
Investigations into IgA nephropathy
Urinalysis, microscopy, culture and sensitivity, RBCs, WBCs and casts found.
How is IgA nephropathy diagnosed
Histologically with immunofluorescence showing IgA deposits in a granular pattern
GOLD standard for IgA nephropathy
Renal biopsy
Outcomes of IgA nephropathy
Unpredictable, 20-30% progress to ESRF in <20 years
Management of IgA nephropathy
Monitoring and optimising fluid balance, supportive treatment for complications of AKI or CKD. ACEI/ARB helps reduce proteinuria and protects renal function. Corticosteroids and sometimes immunosuppression
Clinical features of anti-GBM disease
Abrupt onset anuria, renal failure, nephritis, haemoptysis, haematesis, acute respiratory failure and pulmonary haemorrhage
What is Goodpasture’s syndrome
Pulmonary haemorrhage and RPGN
What is Goodpasture’s disease
Secondary to anti-GBM antibodies
Causes of anti-GBM disease
Autoimmune and hypersensitivity type II reaction when target kidney BM and lung alveoli
Aims of therapy for anti-GBM disease
Removing circulating antibodies and immunosuppression with medication to stop further antibody production
Management of anti-GBM disease
Plasmaphoresis, cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone. If there is severe AKI then may require dialysis or transplant