Pathology Flashcards
What name is given to an infective cause of nephritis?
Pyelonephritis
What name is given to a non-infective nephritis?
Glomerulonephritis
What structure is most important at holding the glomerulus together?
Mesangial Cells
What other name is given to the podocytes which surround the glomerulus?
Visceral epithelium
Why does immune related inflammation occur in the glomerulus?
- immune response is directed at something in the glomerulus
- circulating complexes get stuck in the sieve
Immune reactions in what neighbouring structures can have glomerulonephritic effect?
Vasculitis in the afferent/efferent arteriole
NOTE - not in glomerulus itself
Give an example of an immune condition which attacks the glomerulus directly?
Good pasture’s syndrome
What is goodpastures syndrome?
IgG antibodies against a subunit of Collagen 4
This type of collagen is found in the glomerular basement membrane
=> attacks the glomerular basement membrane found in kidneys (and also lungs)
What can cause circulating immune complexes to deposit in the kidney?
Infection (Hepatitis, Group A Strep, HIV)
Drugs (Gold, Pencillamine)
Cancer (immune response mounted to “foreign” cancer cells)
What types of vasculitis are most likely to cause glomerulonephritis?
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) - cANCA
Microscopic polyangiitis – pANCA
What is the difference between c-ANCA and p-ANCA?
c-ANCA = cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytosplasmic antibody
p-ANCA = perinuclear anti-neutorphil cytoplasmic antibody
What are the main differences between Nephritic and Nephrotic syndrome?
Nephritic – haematuria, hypertension
Nephrotic – heavy proteinuria, oedema, hyperlipideamia
All causes of glomerulonephritis will cause wither a nephrotic or nephritic syndrome. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
What investigations can be used to classify glomerulonephritis?
Light microscopy
Electron microscopy (black and white)
Immunoflouresence
Crescents on light microscopy represent a good prognosis. TRUE/FALSE?
FALSE
Indicate rapidly progressive disease which could result in renal failure
What would be seen on Light microscopy in GPA causing glomerulonephritis?
Granulomas
Electron microscopy uses a high magnification to look for deposits in the basement membrane. Where are these usually found?
Subepithelial
Mesangial
Subendothelial
Why is immunofluorescence particularly useful in diagnosis goodpastures syndrome?
Can easily visualise the linear IgG deposition along the basement membrane
Who develops minimal change syndrome?
Kids
Does minimal change syndrome cause nephritic or nephrotic syndrome?
Nephrotic
children present with very puffy, oedematous faces
Is the prognosis for Minimal change good or bad?
Good (due to MINIMAL change)
Resolves after steriods
What is FSGS?
Focal Segmental GlomeruloSclerosis
Who gets FSGS?
Adults
Risks:
- obesity
- HIV
- sickle cell
- IVDUs
Describe what FSGS means?
Focal => not all glomeruli affected
Segmental => of the glomeruli affected, not ALL of one glomerulus is affected
Sclerosis => stiffening
What can cause membranous glomerulonephritis?
– Infection (hepatitis, malaria, syphilis) – Drugs (NSAID, gold, penicillamine) – Malignancy (lung, colon,melanoma) – Lupus – Autoimmune thyroiditis
Lupus can cause any type of glomerulonephritis. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
What age group usually develop membranous glomerulonephritis?
Adults
Do patients with membranous glomerulonephritis eventually develop nephrotic or nephritic syndrome?
Nephrotic
How does membranous glomerulonephritis appear under the microscope?
thick membranes (spiky) Sub-epithelial immune deposits
What is the prognosis of membranous glomerulonephritis like?
- variable
- Disease has slow progression
- <40% eventually develop renal failure
What type of stain is used to diagnose membranous glomerulonephritis?
Silver stain
Spiky membrane
White/negative space indicates immune deposits in the basement membrane
What can predispose to IgA glomerulonephritis ?
genetic
acquired defect – coeliac
What group of patients develop an IgA glomerulonephritis?
Post infection
- usually Group A strep. throat
Does IgA glomerulonephritis usually cause a nephrotic or nephritic syndrome?
Nephritic
How does IgA glomerulonephritis look under the microscope?
IgA deposition in mesangium
Prognosis of IgA glomerulonephritis varies. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
varies depending on severity
What usually causes Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
idiopathic
OR if Type 2 => infection, lupus, malignancy
Usually only adults develop membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. TRUE/FALSE?
FALSE
both adults AND kids develop this
In membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, do you develop nephrotic or nephritic syndrome?
can develop EITHER!
one or the other
How does membranoprliferative glomerulonephritis look under the microscope?
Large lobulated glomeruli
thick DUPLICATED membranes => tram tracks
Diabetes can predispose to what disease processes in the kidney?
Diffuse and Nodular Glomerulosclerosis
Nodules – Kimmel Stiel Wilson Lesion
Microvascular disease – arterial sclerosis
Infection – pyelonephritis, papillary necrosis
Why are the differentials for cystic kidney diseases difficult?
early cancers are cystic or partly cystic
=> more difficult to identify cancer EARLY
What score can be used by radiology to predict the probability of a cyst being cancerous?
Bosniak score
Acquired cysts are so common that they are often seen on autopsy. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
What long term treatment can predispose to acquired renal cysts?
Long term dialysis
What are the two main subtypes of Polycystic Kidney Disease?
Autosomal Dominant
Autosomal Recessive
When does Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease usually present?
Adulthood as cysts take a while to develop
What complications can occur in Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease?
Kidneys can become HUGE
Cysts can rupture (due to simple epithelium lining)
Cyst can infarct or haemorrhage also
What is the normal presenting complaint in Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease?
Mass like lesion (due to growth of kidney)
Pain/haematuria - due to rupture, infarction of cyst
What other parts of the body can become affected in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease?
liver cysts and cerebral aneursyms
Who usually presents with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease?
Children
younger presentation = worse prognosis
What is difference about the appearance of the kindey in Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease?
Kidney is of normal size and has a smooth surface
What disease process is known to create a mass specifically associated with infection?
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis