Korean J Med.  2013 Jan;84(1):19-27.

Differential Diagnosis of Secondary Glomerulonephritis

• Kim MJ
• Kim SW

Abstract

Early diagnosis of glomerulonephritis is important in initiating appropriate treatment and controlling chronic glomerular injury that may eventually lead to end-stage renal disease. Although many patients with glomerular disease have only renal involvement, systemic presentations are not uncommon, as frequently resulted from an underlying systemic disease or a factor such as infections, drugs, or metabolic diseases. The presence of an underlying secondary reason should be investigated in each glomerular disease independent of its histopathologic type. Laboratory tests may include C3, C4, ANA, dsDNA, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titers, a streptozyme test, HBV and HCV serologies, and in some cases, blood cultures, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies, and cryoglobulins. Although serologic tests may be helpful in establishing a diagnosis in some patients, a renal biopsy is usually performed even if serologic testing is positive. In addition, serologic test may assist in interpretation of the renal pathology.

Keyword

Glomerulonephritis; Diagnosis; Serologic test

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Basement Membrane
Biopsy
Cryoglobulins
Diagnosis, Differential
Early Diagnosis
Glomerulonephritis
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Metabolic Diseases
Serologic Tests
Antibodies
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Cryoglobulins
Serologic Tests