Pathology of Glomerular Disease Flashcards
What is NOT filtered in the glomerulus?
All proteins equal to or larger than albumin, including immunoglobulins They will stay in the plasma
What is a podocyte?
Cells in the Bowman’s capsule that wrap around capillaries of the glomerulus They interdigitate and look like finger processes
What is the function of a mesangial cell?
The primary function of mesangial cells is to remove trapped residues and aggregated protein from the basement membrane thus keeping the filter free of debris
What is the numbered arrows in this slide
- Endothelium
- Basal lamina CT
- Podocytes
What is mesangial cell?
Tree like group of cells that support capillaries
What is glomerulonephritis?
Basic name for disease of the glomerulus
Even though it has “itis” doesn’t always mean the condition will be inflammatory
What is the difference between 1y and 2y glomerulonephritis?
1y - only affects the glomerulus
2 - other parts of body affected by the disease too
Give examples of 2y glomerulonephtitis.
SLE
Wegener’s
Aetiology of glomerulonephritis?
Some due to immunoglobulin depositon
BUT
Some are disease with no immunoglobulin deposition, such as diabetic glomerular disease
What are the 4 most common presentations of glomerulonephritis?
Haematuria
Heavy proteinuria
Slowly increasing proteinuria
Acute renal failure
What is heavy proteinuria known as?
Nephrotic syndrome
A 40 year old male presents to you with discoloured urine. What is the first test you would do?
Urine dipstick analysis
The dipstick shows positive for blood - what are the main causes of haematuria from most common to least?
- UTIs
- Urinary tract stone
- Urinary tract tumours
- Glomerulonephritis
What would you do next for the patient who presented with discouloured urine once blood has been confirmed in urine?
Send off a urine culture
Arrange a hospital appointmed for an ultrasound examination
The urine culture and ultrasaound exam came back as normal. Next steps?
Check his clotting
If clotting is okay do a renal biopsy
The renal biopsy shows increased levels of mesangial cells. What has occured?
- Immunoglobulin - mainly IgA - and complement componant C3 have accumulated in mesangial area of glomeruli
- IgA deposits irritate mesangial cells and cause proliferation
What is this disease called?
IgA glomerulonephritis
Aetiology of IgA glomerulonephritis?
Unknown
Excess IgA is sometimes present in serum showing an excess production but this isn not specific to IgA glomerulonephritis
Does the IgA get filtered into urine?
No - stays stuck in mesangial cells clogging up the mesangium NOT the fliter