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Glomerulonephritis Essay

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Glomerulonephritis (GN), or the inflammation of glomeruli, is a leading cause of renal failure worldwide. Inflammation is characterized by vascular fragility, infiltration of leukocytes, and edema. Glomerular disease may manifest by three major syndromes: nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome, and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Nephritic syndrome consists of sudden onset of hematuria, non-nephrotic range proteinuria (1.5 g/24 h), active sediment with red blood cell (RBC) casts or dysmorphic RBCs, acute renal failure, and hypertension. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by heavy proteinuria (>3.5 g/24 h), edema, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia. RPGN is characterized by active sediment (RBC casts and dysmorphic RBCs) and rapid development of acute renal failure usually over a period of weeks to months. Glomerulonephritis accounts for the majority of progressive renal disease in many parts of the world.

ETIOLOGY
Glomerulonephritis has diverse etiologies related to disorders of the immune system, including abnormal immunoglobulin and complement regulation. Glomerulonephritis is caused by immune processes that lead to deposition of antibodies and complement within the glomerulus. This results in injury to intrinsic glomerular cells, infiltration of leukocytes and damage to the capillary …show more content…

Hematuria is a key manifestation of glomerulonephritis. Glomerular inflammation leads to glomerular hemorrhage where blood enters the Bowman’s space and erythrocytes are incorporated into RBC casts. These casts are the hallmark of glomerular injury and are almost always present in acute glomerulonephritis. RBC casts may persist for an indefinite period after an acute injury but will generally decrease in number as inflammation

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