Glomerulonephritis Flashcards
what is glomerulonephritis?
Immune mediated disease of the kidneys affecting the glomeruli
what is the summary pathophysiology of the glomerulonephritis?
- Damage to the glomerulus restricts blood flow, leading to compensatory raised BP
- Damage to the filtration mechanism allows protein and blood to enter the urine
- Loss of the usual filtration capacity leads to acute kidney injury
what are the types of primary glomerulonephritis?
o Minimal change o FSG o Membranous o IgA neuropathy o Membranoproliferative
what are the causes of secondary glomerulonephritis?
caused by infections of drugs, associated with malignancy, or part of systemic disease
what are the histological classifications of glomerulonephritis?
- Proliferative or non-proliferative
- Focal/diffuse
- Global/segmental
- Crescenteric
what are the common clinical features of GN?
- Haematuria
- Proteinuria
- Impaired renal function – AKI, CKD, ESRD
- Nephritic or Nephrotic
- Weakness, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomting, abdo pain, joint pain
what are the two types of treatment for GN?
non-immunosuppressive
Immunosuppression
what are the features of non-immunosuppressive management of GN?
o Anti-hypertensives (target <130/80,
what are the changes to BP in nephrotic syndrome?
Normal-mildly ↑
what are the changes to BP in nephritic syndrome?
Moderate-severely ↑
what are the changes to urine in Nephrotic syndrome?
Proteinuria > 3.5g/dy
what are the changes to urine in Nephritic syndrome?
Haematuria (mild-macro)
what are the changes to GFR in nephrotic syndrome?
Normal-mild ↓
what are the changes to GFR in nephritic syndrome?
Moderate-severe ↓
what are the primary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulonephritis, membranous glomerulonephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis
what are the secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
diabetic nephropathy, SLE, sarcoidosis, syphilis, Hep B, Sjogren’s Syndrome, HIV, amyloidosis, Multiple myeloma, vasculitis, cancer, congenital nephrotic syndrome, drugs (penicillin)
what is the pathophysiology of Nephrotic Syndrome?
- Effects podocytes
- Indicates non-proliferative process
- Allows proteins to pass into urine
what are the mechanisms of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome?
o In response to hyperlipidaemia
o >oncotic pressure – osmotic drive
o Damage causes < permeability
what are the clinical features of nephrotic syndrome?
- Proteinuria>3g/day (mostly albumin, also globulins)
* Hypalbuminaemia (<30), oedema, hypercholesterolaemia, normal renal function, hyperlipidaemia, lipiduria
what are the complications ofnephrotic syndrome?
infections, renal vein thrombosis, PE, volume depletion
what is the management of nephrotic syndrome?
General – fluid restriction, salt restriction, diuretics, ACE/ARBs, anticoagulation, IV albumin
Immunosuppression
what are the causes of nephritic syndrome?
- IgA neuropathy
- Mesangiocapillary
- Post streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
- Vasculaitis, SLE, cryralbuminaemia
what is the pathophysiology of nephritic syndrome?
- Affecting endothelial cells
- Indicative of a proliferative process
- Damage done by antibody/antigen complex – urinary casts formed
what are the clinical features of nephritic syndrome?
acute renal failure, oliguria, oedema, hypertension, active urinary sediment – RBCs, RBC and Granular cells = HAEMATURIA + PROTEINURIA
what is the cause of minimal change glomerulonephritis?
idiopathic, associated with Hodkins Lymphoma, NSAIDs, rifampicin, mono
what is the pathophysiology of Minimal Change Glomerulonephritis?
T cells release cytokines (IL-13) that target and damage podocytes – makes them flatter = effacement. Results in loss of charge barrier. Albumin can pass through but not larger proteins
what are the clinical features of minimal change glomerulonephritis?
nephrotic syndrome, normotension, proteinuria
what are the histological features of minimal change biopsy?
normal renal biopsy on LM & IF, foot process fusion on EM
what is the management of minimal change glomerulonephritis?
oral steroids (94% complete remission), 2nd line = cyclophosphamide, majority reoccur
what are the primary causes of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
unknown
what are the secondary cayses of focal segmental glomeruloscelroiss?
sickle cell, HIV, heroin, kidney hyper fusion, increased pressure in glomerular capillaries, obesity, reflux, renal transplant reoccurrence