Pathology of Nephritic Syndrome Flashcards
True or False: in the cortical region of the kidney, by mass, 70% is made up of tubules.
True. The proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
Anything that happens to a glomerulus that impedes blood flow through it (e.g. glomerulonephritis) causes to the tubules downstream. Why?
Because, blood doesn’t properly get to the efferent arteriole to go to supply blood at the peritubular blood supply and vasa recta (ischemia). This is why there can be tubular functional deficits with glomerular disease.
Whats the mesangial matrix?
The extracellular fluid around the mesangium
Albumin is small enough to fit through the foot processes of the podocytes. Why doesn’t it pass?
Albumin is negatively charged and so is the whole podocyte structure. So, the albumin are repelled and cannot pass.
What 2 lab findings go up in azotemia?
BUN and Creatinine
What is the general difference between acute and chronic renal failure?
Acute renal failure has to do with nephrons all being effected by the same disease at the same time while chronic renal failure is usually the loss of single or small groups of nephrons over time until it reaches a critical limit.
What are the 4 morphologic patterns of glomerular disease?
- Cell proliferation
- Mesangial
- Endocapillary
- Epithelial (podocyte) - crescents
- Leukocyte proliferation
- Basement membrane thickening/changes (sometimes only seen in EM)
- Sclerosis (segmental or global)
What is thin basement membrane disease also known as?
benign familial hematuria
Whats the prognosis for thin basement membrane disease aka benign familial hematuria?
Excellent prognosis
It doesn’t lead to anything long term. No ESRD. No death
How common is thin basement membrane disease aka benign familial hematuria?
Occurs in 1% of the population
What causes thin basement membrane disease aka benign familial hematuria?
Mutations in genes encoding collagen IV
What is the issue with thin basement membrane disease?
Nothing serious, really. It just causes hematuria. It often mimicks a disease process and requires biopsy. When it is diagnosed, the patient doesn’t need to be followed or rebiopsied or anything.
What’s Alport’s Disease?
Alport’s disease is a X-linked genetic condition that causes nephritis, deafness, and ocular lesions. It is due to a mutation in the alpha-5 chain of collagen IV which causes a problem in forming basement membranes.
How do you diagnose Alport’s disease?
Basket-weave pattern basement membrane seen on EM
What’s the prognosis for alport’s disease?
Poor. It typically progresses to ESRD
What are the 2 hereditary disorders that mimic true glomerulonephritis?
- Thin Basement Membrane Disease (aka Benign Familial Hematuria)
- Alport’s Disease
What is the hallmark of endocapillary hypercellularity?
Occlusion of capillary loops