Membranous Glomerulonephritis: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development)

In most cases, membranous glomerulonephritis occurs as primary glomerulonephritis, at least in Germany. In this case, complexes of antigens and antibodies are formed in the glomeruli (renal corpuscles), so autoantibodies may be causative.

In up to 80% of cases, the cause is unknown (primary membranous glomerulonephritis).

In Asia, membranous glomerulonephritis is not infrequently observed in the setting of hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infections.

Etiology (Causes)

Biographic causes

  • Genetic burden from parents, grandparents
    • Genetic diseases
      • Sickle cell anemia (med.: drepanocytosis; also sickle cell anemia, Engl.: sickle cell anemia) – genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance affecting erythrocytes (red blood cells); it belongs to the group of hemoglobinopathies (disorders of hemoglobin; formation of an irregular hemoglobin called sickle cell hemoglobin, HbS).
  • Gender – males (white skin color) are more often affected by the idiopathic form.

Disease-related causes

  • Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Hepatitis B and C (liver inflammation)
  • HIV
  • Malaria – tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • Malignancies (malignant diseases):
    • Bronchial, breast, colon, and gastric carcinoma (lung, colon, and stomach carcinoma).
    • Z. For example, by thrombospondin type 1 domain containing 7A in a patient with gallbladder carcinoma.
  • Crohn’s disease – inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Syphilis (Lues)

Medication

  • Captopril – antihypertensive (drug for high blood pressure).
  • Chloromethiazole – drug given during withdrawal.
  • Gold – was used as a drug for rheumatism
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – painkillers such as ibuprofen.
  • Penicillamine (chelating agents)
  • Probenecid (gout agent)
  • Trimethadione – antiepileptic (drug for seizures).

Other causes

  • Mercury