Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis of the IgA type
Mesangium cells are connective tissue cells of the small blood vessels of the kidney filter. IgA (Immunogloblin A) is an antibody produced by certain blood cells (plasma cells). This form is also known as IgA nephropathy or Berger nephritis.
It is the most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. It affects mainly young men and can have a very different course. The most common symptoms are blood in the urine (hematuria), flank pain and high blood pressure, which must be treated consistently, and proteinuria.
Hematuria or proteinuria can be so minor that it is often only discovered by chance if other symptoms are missing. The genesis (pathogenesis) is still unclear. However, it is conspicuous that it is more common in families, so that a genetic predisposition is suspected.
There is no therapy against the cause. If started early enough, a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs seems promising. About half of those affected show a chronic course, which often ends in chronic renal insufficiency.
Focal-segmented glomerulonephritis
In the microscopic specimen, a pathological hardening of the organ (sclerosis) and an accumulation of a glassy, transparent substance called hyaline (hyalinosis) in individual glomerulus sections are impressive.The development of this form is not clear, but is more frequently observed in HIV-infected persons or heroin users. More than 30% of the cases are chronic and lead to renal insufficiency. Even after a kidney transplantation a high recurrence rate is observed. There is no systematic therapy. A therapy with suppression of the immune system sometimes shows success.
Membranous glomerulonephritis
Membrane glomerulonephritis often appears without a recognizable cause. Sometimes, however, it occurs in certain diseases such as: Deposition of immune complexes on the outside of the basement membrane. One third heals spontaneously, another third shows chronic protein loss via the urine and in one third of patients the disease progresses to renal insufficiency.
Membrane glomerulonephritis is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome.
- Tumors (e.g. colon cancer)
- Infections (e.g. hepatitis B) or
- After taking certain medicines.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus is rarely responsible.
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