Definition of Glomerulonephritis:

Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease caused by inflammation of the internal kidney structures (glomeruli), which help filter waste and fluids from the blood.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Glomerulonephritis may be caused by specific problems with the body's immune system, but the precise cause of some cases is unknown. Damage to the glomeruli causes blood and protein to be lost in the urine.

The condition may develop after survival of the acute phase of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. In about a quarter of people with chronic glomerulonephritis there is no prior history of kidney disease and the disorder first appears as chronic renal failure.

Specific disorders that are associated with glomerulonephritis include:

• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• Goodpasture syndrome
• IgA nephropathy
• Lupus nephritis
• Membranoproliferative GN I
• Membranoproliferative GN II
• Post-streptococcal GN
• Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis