Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN)

Overview of AGN
Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) is active inflammation in the glomeruli. Each kidney is composed of about 1 million microscopic filtering "screens" known as glomeruli that selectively remove uremic waste products. The inflammatory process usually begins with an infection or injury (e.g., burn, trauma), then the protective immune system fights off the infection, scar tissue forms, and the process is complete. There are many diseases that cause an active inflammation within the glomeruli. Some of these diseases are systemic (i.e., other parts of the body are involved at the same time) and some occur solely in the glomeruli. When there is active inflammation within the kidney, scar tissue may replace normal, functional kidney tissue and cause irreversible renal impairment. The severity and extent of glomerular damagefocal (confined) or diffuse (widespread) determines how the disease is manifested. Glomerular damage can appear as subacute renal failure, progressive chronic renal failure (CRF); or simply a urinary abnormality such as kidneys and cause AGN, include the following:
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Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgA nephropathy, Bergers disease) Membranoproliferative nephritis (type of kidney inflammation) Postinfectious GN (GN that results after an infection)

Signs & Symptoms of Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN)

Patients who have secondary causes of AGN often exhibit these symptoms:
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Cough with blood-tinged sputum Fever Joint or muscle pain Rash

Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN) Diagnosis

Patients with acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) have an active urinary sediment. This means that signs of active kidney inflammation can be detected when the urine is examined under the microscope. Such signs include red blood cells, white blood cells, proteinuria (blood proteins in the urine), and "casts" of cells that have leaked through the glomeruli and have reached the tubule, where they develop into cylindrical forms. A kidney biopsy is essential to establish a diagnosis of AGN, determine the cause, and create an effective treatment plan.

Treatment for Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN)

The goal of treatment is to stop the ongoing inflammation and lessen the degree of scarring that ensues. Depending on the diagnosis, there are different treatment strategies. Often the treatment warrants a regimen of immunosuppressive drugs to limit the immune systems activity. This decreases the degree of inflammation and subsequent irreversible scarring. Overview Acute glomerulonephritis refers to a specific set of renal diseases in which an immunologic mechanism triggers inflammation and proliferation of glomerular tissue that can result in damage to the basement membrane, mesangium, or capillary endothelium.[1, 2] The condition is defined as the sudden onset of hematuria, proteinuria, and red blood cell casts. This clinical picture is often accompanied by hypertension, edema, and impaired renal function. The most common causes of acute glomerulonephritis are postinfectious Streptococcus species, but other bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites, can be the cause. The disease can also result from systemic and renal disorders.[3] Go to Acute Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis and Acute Glomerulonephritis for complete information on these topics. Prehospital Care In most patients, acute glomerulonephritis is not an acute life-threatening emergency if the patient has normal vital signs and lacks underlying illness. Give highest priority to patients who present with hypertension or pulmonary or central nervous system (CNS) symptoms.