Rapidly Progessive Glomerulonephritis
- causes and risk factors
- signs, symptoms and diagnosis
- pathophysiology
- treatments
- consequences and course
- the patient
- health care team
- community involvement
- resources and references
Rapidly Progessive Glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is characterized by glomerular hematuria and renal failure developing over weeks to months, along with epithelial proliferation in Bowman's space leading to crecent formation.
Causes and Risk Factors
RPGN can occur with immune deposits, either anti-GBM or immune-complex type.
Goodpasture's syndrome is RPGN with accompanying pulmonary hemorrhage.
Immune complex RPGN is almost always seen with other conditions, includiing SLE, cryoglobulinemia, post-nfectious glomerulonephritis, and others
Non-immune-mediated PRGN can be due to small vessel vasculidites such as Wegener's granulomatosis or microscopic polyarteritis.
Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
- history
- physical exam
- labs
- biopsy
History
Physical Exam
Biopsy
Anti-GBM GN is characterized by linear capillary staining with IgG and C3
Pathophysiology
Anti-GBM GN appears to be linked to development of autoimmunity to type IV collagen.
Treatments
Therapy consists of high-dose oral prednosine, cytotoxic agents such as cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchange.
Consequences and Course
The Patient
Health Care Team
Community Involvement
References