Glomerulonephritis Flashcards
Other than autoimmune what can cause glomerulonephritis? [3]
Infection
Malignancy
Drugs
What are the two major syndromes associated with glomerulonephritis?
Nephritic Syndrome - Proliferative glomerulonephritis
Nephrotic Syndrome - Non-proliferative Glomerulonephritis
What are the major types of Glomerulonephritis?
Nephritic [4]
Nephrotic [3]
Proliferative/Nephritic:
- Mesangioproliferative GN eg IgA nephropathy
- Diffuse proliferative GN eg Post-streptococcal GN
- Focal Necrotising Crescentic Nephritis
- Membrano-proliferative nephritis
Non-proliferative/Nephrotic:
- Minimal change disease
- Focal & Segmental GN
- Membranous Nephropathy
How do we distinguish nephrotic from nephritic syndrome?
Presentation - name 4 clinical features each
Describe the underlying pathology of each briefly [4]
Nephritic syndrome involves haematuria, proteinuria, hypertension and a low urine volume due to renal impairment. Immune complex deposition cause inflammatory reaction damaging capillary walls.
Nephrotic syndrome involves hypoalbuminaemia, proteinuria, oedema and hyperlipidaemia. Derangement in capillary walls of glomeruli allowing increased permeability to plasma proteins
What is the distinguishing feature of Nephritic syndrome? [1]
Red cell casts in the urine.
Explain the presentation of nephrotic syndrome [5]
- Leaky glomeruli cause protein loss (frothy urine) (3.5g/day)
- Hypoalbuminemia causes
- anasacra because of low colloidal pressure (not enough albumin in blood to osmotically keep water from moving into the Extra-vascular compartment)
- Hyperlipidaemia because liver over produces albumin to compensate and produces more lipids as a side effect
- Also raises risk of thrombosis and infection
What do diffuse, focal, global and segmental mean in terms of glomerulonephritis? [4]
Focal affects <50% of the glomeruli
Global affects 100%
Diffuse affects >50%
Segmental only affects specific parts of the glomerulus
Out of the 4 types of nephritic syndrome which 2 are diffuse and focal?
Post-infective Nephritis (diffuse) IgA nephropathy (Focal)
What causes post-infective nephritis? [2]
Genetic association [1]
Management [1]
Mostly group A streptococci, it occurs 10-20 days post- skin/throat infection
Associated with genetic predisposition (HLA-DR or HLA-DP)
Mx: supportive only
General management for nephritic syndrome [3]
Bed rest, salt restriction, careful fluid monitoring
Mx of AKI
BP control: ACEi or ARB with aim for <130/80 (or <125/75 if significant proteinuria)
What is the commenest cause of glomerulonephritis worldwide?
IgA nephropathy.
Its most common in teens/20s & men
How does Focal Necrotising Crescentic Nephritis (FNCN) look? [2]
A crescent of cells & Debris fills the Bowman’s Space on biopsy.
It causes really high creatinine (~1200)
What are the classes of FNCN? [3]
1) ANCA associated including wegener’s & microscopic polyangiitis
2) Anti-GBM (Glomerular Basement Membrane) incl anti-GBM nephritis and goodpasture’s syndrome
3) Others e.g. IgA vasculitis, post infective or SLE
How do you tell apart Anti-GBM vs ANCA positive FNCN [3]
ANCA presents with AKI + systemic features (weight loss, myalgia, fever)
Anti-GBM antibodies can be found in the serum & kidney. Quick onset AKI
Both feature lung haemorrhage (hemoptysis)
FNCN Ix [1]
Mx [5]
Ix: renal biopsy
With aggressive immunosuppression:
- High dose steroids
- Cyclophosphamide
- Plasma Exchange
B Cell Therapy - Rituximab
Complement inhibitors