Glomerulonephritis (GN)

Last updated: Friday, 03, December, 2010
Key InformationAppropriate Tests

Urinalysis, urine protein; urine microscopy (fresh specimen examined for casts and dysmorphic red cells).

Electrolytes, creatinine, urea. e GFR.

Diagnosis is established by renal biopsy with IF, IH and electron microscopy.

The possibility of underlying systemic disease should be considered.

Presentations

Haematuria

Hypertension

Nephritic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome

Proteinuria

Renal failure

Causes

Primary renal disease

  • IgA nephropathy

  •  Membranous GN
  • Minimal change disease
  • Post-infectious GN 

Throat swab, skin lesions - bacterial culture. Antistreptolysin O titre, antideoxyribonuclease B antibodies. C3/C4.

  • Crescentic GN

 Glomerular basement membrane antibodies, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

Associated with systemic disease

  • Vasculitis syndromes, especially
See Vasculitis
  • Malignancy

Chronic infection-associated GN