Infection-related and renal-limited glomerulonephritis

Abstract

This chapter covers the infection-related glomerulonephritides, which encompass a wide swath of epidemic and endemic diseases. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, helminths and viruses all contribute to the glomerular disease burden. Most of these have numerous and varied extra-renal manifestations and are commonly classified as secondary glomerular diseases. However, a few have mainly or exclusively renal involvement and can be classified within the rubric of primary glomerular disease. This group of glomerular diseases is characterized by intraglomerular inflammation and cellular proliferation resulting from immunological events triggered by a variety of organisms. This chapter discusses the prototypical renal-limited forms of infection-related glomerulonephritis.