| glomerulonephritis, membranoproliferative | Chronic glomerulonephritis characterised histologically by proliferation of mesangial cells, increase in the mesangial matrix, and a thickening of the glomerular capillary walls. The wall thickening is sometimes said to be a result of the interposition of mesangial cytoplasm or matrix between the basement membrane and the endothelium of the capillary wall. It is often divided into types I and II, and sometimes III. Pathogenesis is not well understood, but some types are thought to involve the immune system, with the complement system, in particular, being implicated. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| glomerulonephritis, membranous | A disease of the glomerulus manifested clinically by proteinuria, and sometimes by other features of the nephrotic syndrome. It is histologically characterised by deposits in the glomerular capillary wall between the epithelial cell and the basement membrane and a thickening of the membrane. Also characteristic are outward projections of the membrane between the epithelial deposits in the form of "spikes". There is some agreement that the deposits are antigen-antibody complexes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis | <pathology> A kidney disorder which results in kidney dysfunction. Inflammation of the glomeruli result from an abnormal immune response and the deposition of antibodies within the kidney (glomerulus) ultrastructure. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has been divided into two different types in the basis of where the antibodies are deposited in the glomerulus. MPGN type I, the more common type, deposits antibodies in the subendothelial layer of the basement membrane, whereas type II deposits antibodies in the bottom layer of the basement membrane. Symptoms include cloudy urine (pyuria), decreased urine output, swelling and hypertension. This disorder often results in end-stage renal disease. Acronym: MPGN (26 Mar 1998) |
| membranous glomerulonephritis | <pathology> A kidney disease that occurs due to inflammation of the kidney glomerulus and its basement membrane. The exact cause is unknown but it appears to be related to the deposition of immune complexes in the basement membrane leading to thickening of the capillary walls. This disorder is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome an is usually how the disease manifests. Risk factors include primary renal disease, malaria, hepatitis B, lupus, syphilis, cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Risks also include exposure to some medications such as gold compounds and penicillamine. Mercury, trimethadione and some skin-lightening creams have also been implicated. Treatment includes systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. (26 Mar 1998) |
| mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis | <nephrology, pathology> Inflammation of the kidney glomerulus (blood filtering portion of the kidney) due to the abnormal deposition of IgM antibody in the mesangium layer of the glomerular capillary. A form of glomerulonephritis that appears to be caused by an abnormal immune response. This disorder generally manifests as nephrotic syndrome. Symptoms include swelling, dark urine, weight gain, hypertension, anorexia and bloody urine. Acronym: MPGN (05 Jan 1998) |
| mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis | <nephrology, pathology> A kidney disorder which results in kidney dysfunction. Inflammation of the glomeruli result from an abnormal immune response and the deposition of antibodies within the kidney (glomerulus) ultrastructure. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has been divided into two different types in the basis of where the antibodies are deposited in the glomerulus. MPGN type I, the more common type, deposits antibodies in the subendothelial layer of the basement membrane, whereas type II deposits antibodies in the bottom layer of the basement membrane. Symptoms include cloudy urine (pyuria), decreased urine output, swelling and hypertension. This disorder often results in end-stage renal disease. (27 Sep 1997) |
| chronic glomerulonephritis | Glomerulonephritis that presents with persisting proteinuria, chronic renal failure, and hypertension, of insidious onset or as a late sequel of acute glomerulonephritis; the kidneys are symmetrically contracted and granular, with scarring and loss of glomeruli and the presence of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Synonym: chronic nephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| crescentic glomerulonephritis | <nephrology, pathology> A relatively uncommon (affecting 1 out of 10,000 people) form of acute glomerulonephritis that results in damage within the glomerulus of the kidney. There is rapid loss of kidney function with the formation of crescents on microscopic analysis (kidney biopsy). This disorder may result in acute glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome, but ultimately results in renal failure and end-stage renal disease. Symptoms include smoky coloured urine (pyuria), decreased urine output, swelling and hypertension. Any conditions which can cause a vasculitis increase the risk of this disorder. Some examples include lupus, Goodpasture's syndrome, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease, history for malignant tumours and exposure to hydrocarbon solvents. (27 Sep 1997) |
| proliferative glomerulonephritis | Glomerulonephritis with hypercellularity of glomeruli due to proliferation of endothelial or mesangial cells, occurring in acute glomerulonephritis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| segmental glomerulonephritis | Glomerulonephritis affecting only part of a glomerulus or glomeruli. Synonym: local glomerulonephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritis | <pathology> A kidney disorder which results in kidney dysfunction. Inflammation of the glomeruli result from an abnormal immune response and the deposition of antibodies within the kidney (glomerulus) ultrastructure. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has been divided into two different types in the basis of where the antibodies are deposited in the glomerulus. MPGN type I, the more common type, deposits antibodies in the subendothelial layer of the basement membrane, whereas type II deposits antibodies in the bottom layer of the basement membrane. Symptoms include cloudy urine (pyuria), decreased urine output, swelling and hypertension. This disorder often results in end-stage renal disease. Acronym: MPGN (26 Mar 1998) |
| necrotising glomerulonephritis | <pathology> A relatively uncommon (affecting 1 out of 10,000 people) form of acute glomerulonephritis that results in damage within the glomerulus of the kidney. There is rapid loss of kidney function with the formation of crescents on microscopic analysis (kidney biopsy). This disorder may result in acute glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome, but ultimately results in renal failure and end-stage renal disease. Symptoms include smoky coloured urine (pyuria), decreased urine output, swelling and hypertension. Any conditions which can cause a vasculitis increase the risk of this disorder. Some examples include lupus, Goodpasture's syndrome, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease, history for malignant tumours and exposure to hydrocarbon solvents. (27 Sep 1997) |
| subacute glomerulonephritis | Undesirable term for glomerulonephritis with proteinuria, haematuria and azotemia persisting for many weeks; renal changes are variable, including those of rapidly progressive and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Synonym: subacute nephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse glomerulonephritis | Glomerulonephritis affecting most of the renal glomeruli; it may lead to azotemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune complex glomerulonephritis | Immune complexes are deposited in the renal glomerulus where they bind complement and initiate an inflammatory process attracting neutrophils and macrophages resulting in an alteration of the basement layer of the kidney. The disease state can lead to ultimate destruction of the glomerulus and renal failure. (05 Mar 2000) |