Nephritis

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Nephritis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Hematuria, proteinuria, edema, hypertension
Complications	Chronic kidney disease, kidney failure
Onset	Varies depending on type
Duration	Acute or chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Infection, autoimmune disease, toxins, medications
Risks	Genetic predisposition, infections, autoimmune disorders
Diagnosis	Urinalysis, blood tests, kidney biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infection, glomerulonephritis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, dialysis
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; can lead to chronic kidney disease if untreated
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Nephritis refers to inflammation of the kidneys and is a serious condition that can lead to kidney damage and failure if not addressed promptly. It comprises a group of diseases, often immune-mediated, that affect the glomerulus, the part of the kidney that filters blood.

Niere Kidney - Nephritis Nierenentzündung bei Reh, bedenkliches Merkmal, Wildkrankheit

Introduction

Nephritis is an inflammatory condition affecting one or both kidneys. It is usually classified into two major types: glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis. Nephritis can lead to significant kidney damage and failure if not appropriately treated, making it a critical health concern.<ref>Glassock, R. J., "Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention of Nephritis and Nephropathy", Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology, 2006, 2: 526-533.</ref>

Types of Nephritis

• There are two major types of nephritis, based on the part of the kidney affected:
• Glomerulonephritis: This condition affects the glomeruli, small units within the kidney where blood is filtered to produce urine. This filtration process removes waste and excess substances from the body.
• Interstitial Nephritis: This type of nephritis involves inflammation of the interstitial tissue of the kidney, which surrounds the tubules. Interstitial nephritis is often drug-induced and can be temporary or long-term.<ref>Rossert, J., "Drug-induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis", Kidney International, 2001, 60: 804–817.</ref>

Causes and Risk Factors

• Nephritis is usually caused by an auto-immune reaction, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its tissues, or by infections. Certain diseases, like lupus, IgA nephropathy, and vasculitis, can also cause nephritis.
• Risk factors for nephritis include a family history of kidney disease, having an autoimmune disease, and certain medications, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics.<ref>Perazella, M. A., & Markowitz, G. S. "Drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis", Nature Reviews Nephrology, 2010, 6: 461–470.</ref>

Symptoms

• Symptoms of nephritis can range from mild to severe and include edema (swelling), usually in the legs, ankles, or feet; hematuria (blood in the urine), which gives the urine a dark, rust color; high blood pressure; and decreased urine output.
• In more severe cases, symptoms can include persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, and kidney failure, which can lead to a range of complications, including anemia, irregular heart rhythms, and sudden cardiac death.<ref>Radhakrishnan, J., & Cattran, D. C. "The KDIGO practice guideline on glomerulonephritis: reading between the (guide)lines‚Äîapplication to the individual patient", Kidney International, 2012, 82: 840–856.</ref>

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis of nephritis typically involves a series of laboratory tests. A urinalysis is performed to detect blood, protein, and white blood cells in the urine, all of which can indicate kidney inflammation. A complete blood count (CBC) can reveal anemia, a common complication of kidney disease, and a comprehensive metabolic panel can evaluate kidney function.
• In certain cases, imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scan can help visualize the kidneys, and a kidney biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.<ref>Korbet, S. M., & Schwartz, M. M. "Multiple and Massive Hematuria: A Simple Diagnostic Approach", American Journal of Nephrology, 1987, 7: 361–365.</ref>

Treatment

• The treatment of nephritis primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause and alleviating symptoms. If an autoimmune disorder is the cause, immunosuppressive drugs may be used to control the immune response. If nephritis is due to infection, antibiotics are typically administered.
• To control symptoms, treatments may include blood pressure medications, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, diuretics to remove excess fluid, and in severe cases, dialysis to perform the function of the kidneys.
• In certain cases, dietary modifications might also be recommended to ease the workload on the kidneys.<ref>Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Glomerulonephritis Work Group, "KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Glomerulonephritis", Kidney International Supplements, 2012, 2: 139–274.</ref>

Epidemiology

The incidence of nephritis varies widely across the globe and among different populations, largely due to genetic and environmental factors. Glomerulonephritis accounts for approximately 10-15% of all cases of end-stage renal disease in the United States.<ref>Collins, A. J., et al. "United States Renal Data System 2011 Annual Data Report: Atlas of chronic kidney disease & end-stage renal disease in the United States", American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2012, 59(1 Suppl 1):A7.</ref>

See Also

• Kidney disease
• Glomerulonephritis
• Interstitial nephritis
• Lupus nephritis
• IgA nephropathy

References

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