Glomerulonephritis

Overview

Overview Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomerulus.  Glomerulonephritis is classified by clinical syndrome/presentation (e.g. nephritic or nephrotic syndrome), histological appearance , or by aetiology. We will divide glomerulonephritis broadly into  two broad types: Nephritic glomerulonephritis and nephrotic glormerulonephritis.

Classification

Two Types of Glomerular disease:

• Nephrotic Syndrome
• Nephritic Syndrome

Approach

• History
• Examination
• Investigations
  • EUC
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine culture
  • Immunological
  • X-ray
  • CT
  • MRI
  • Renal biopsy

Renal biopsy looks at the histology of glomerular disease

• Light microscopy - Useful for morphology, chronicity, and diagnosis.
• Immunofluorescence - Usually by immunofluorescence but also immunoperoxidase staining. Localizes immune reactants
• Electron lightmicroscopy - Examining cell and basement membrane structure and for characterizing glomerular deposits.