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Pauling’s Battle with Glomerulonephritis

Most glomerulonephritides, even the more common types, are rare diseases. They are nevertheless important since they frequently affect young people, often cannot be cured, and can lead to chronic kidney disease, including end-stage renal failure, with associated morbidity and cost. For example, in young adults, IgA nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease.

Source: Jurgen Floege et al, Primary glomerulonephritides, The Lancet, February 24, 2016.

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Featured

 Nephritis: Addressing Inflammation of the Kidneys

There are many causes of nephritis, which can go unnoticed and cause lasting damage.

 Strep by Me

Though I had no apparent hematuria, urinalysis revealed red blood cell casts. Later, ASO and anti-DNAse B titers confirmed post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Visions of dialysis and kidney transplantation haunted me immediately, but as Drs. Dietrich and Steele remark in their review article, my glomerulonephritis resolved without further complications.

Articles of Interest

Emergent Management of Acute Glomerulonephritis

The emergency physician must consider acute glomerulonephritis in the differential diagnosis for patients that present with hypertension, hematuria, proteinuria, peripheral edema, and/or acute pulmonary edema.

Glomerulonephritis Raises End-Stage Renal Disease Risk

The researchers discussed some potential reasons why patients with primary GN may have a higher ESRD rate. For example, treatment for secondary GN, which conventionally consists of treating the underlying systemic disorder, may be more successful, on average, than treatment of primary GN, the investigators stated.

Selena Gomez Received Kidney Transplant For Lupus Nephritis

Treatment for lupus nephritis includes using medications to suppress inflammation and the immune system as well as control high blood pressure. However, if the kidneys start to fail, the only options are to get new kidneys.

Study Reveals Nephrologists Unaware Of Glomerulonephritis Therapies In Development

Although GN may have different causes, they can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease, and cardiovascular disease. GN is a common cause of CKD and a threat to public health due to its increasing incidence, poor outcomes, and high associated costs.

Resources

WeC3G

WeC3G is a community of people connecting to each other and to information, support, and resources focused on C3 glomerulopathy or C3G. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with dense deposit disease (DDD), C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN), or even membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), the WeC3G community is here for you.

GN network

The GN network & registry aims to improve our understanding and treatment of glomerulonephritis.

GlomCon

The Glomerular Disease Study & Trial Consortium (GlomCon) aims to bring together clinicians, pathologists, researchers, and biotech innovators to create a scalable network of stakeholders interested in helping patients with glomerular kidney disease.

Glomerulonephritis Associated with Nonstreptococcal Infection

The classic association of glomerulonephritis (GN) with infection is poststreptococcal GN, usually developing after streptococcal pharyngitis (see Glomerulonephritis, Poststreptococcal). However, a number of glomerular diseases are associated with other bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases.

Goodpasture syndrome

Goodpasture syndrome, a subtype of pulmonary-renal syndrome, is an autoimmune syndrome of alveolar hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis caused by circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies.

Lupus nephritis

The survival of patients and the preservation of the renal function have improved in the last decades. The treatment is based on corticosteroids and other immunosuppressors. The renal disease is one of the main causes of death in SLE.

Membranous Glomerulonephritis

Membranous nephritis is one of a group of conditions called ‘glomerulonephritis’, where the immune system damages the kidney. Nephropathy, nephritis or glomerulonephritis are all used, but they all mean the same.

Post-Infectious Glomerulonephritis

Many forms of GN can damage the kidney. Some follow infections, most commonly a strep throat or skin infection...Other infections can cause GN, although less commonly than strep. These include other bacteria and viruses. Any child who presents with signs of GN should be considered for the diagnosis of PSGN and other post-infectious GN.

Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis: All You Need to Know

Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) is a kidney disease that can develop after infections caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep. These infections include throat and skin infections like strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo.

Primary glomerulonephritides

Most glomerulonephritides, even the more common types, are rare diseases.

American Kidney Fund

Glomerulonephritis can begin suddenly or slowly, over time. If it begins suddenly, it is called acute glomerulonephritis. If it comes on slowly, it is called chronic glomerulonephritis. One out of every four people with glomerulonephritis has never had kidney disease.

National Kidney Foundation

Glomerulonephritis is a group of diseases that injure the part of the kidney that filters blood (called glomeruli). Other terms you may hear used are nephritis and nephrotic syndrome. When the kidney is injured, it cannot get rid of wastes and extra fluid in the body. If the illness continues, the kidneys may stop working completely, resulting in kidney failure.

NephCure Kidney International

NephCure Kidney International is the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and the diseases that cause Nephrotic Syndrome, improve treatment, and find a cure.

Britannica.com

Treatment of all forms of glomerulonephritis is primarily directed toward controlling high blood pressure with antihypertensive agents and diuretics and through changes in diet, which include fluid restriction and decreased salt intake. Some patients respond to treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs.

GARD

Most of the time, glomerulonephritis (GN) is not inherited. It may be caused by a variety of conditions ranging from infections that affect the kidneys to diseases that affect the whole body, including the kidneys. Currently available data suggest that most cases are due to an immunologic response to a variety of things. Sometimes the cause is unknown.

KidsHealth

The good news about glomerulonephritis is that most of the time it gets better on its own — and, if it doesn't, there's a lot that doctors can do to prevent further damage.

MayoClinic

If glomerulonephritis occurs on its own, it's known as primary glomerulonephritis. If another disease, such as lupus or diabetes, is the cause, it's called secondary glomerulonephritis. Severe or prolonged inflammation associated with glomerulonephritis can damage your kidneys. Treatment depends on the type of glomerulonephritis you have.

MedlinePlus

Glomerulonephritis may be caused by problems with the body's immune system. Often, the exact cause of this condition is unknown.

NHS

It's often caused by your immune system attacking healthy body tissue. In most cases, glomerulonephritis doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms and is often diagnosed when blood or urine tests are carried out for another reason.

Patient

Glomerulonephritis includes a range of immune-mediated disorders that cause inflammation within the glomerulus and other compartments of the kidney.