Nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys and may involve the glomeruli,

tubules In biology, a tubule is a general term referring to small tube or similar type of structure. Specifically, tubule can refer to: * a small tube or fistular structure * a minute tube lined with glandular epithelium * any hollow cylindrical body stru ...

, or interstitial tissue surrounding the glomeruli and tubules. It is one of several different types of

nephropathy Kidney disease, or renal disease, technically referred to as nephropathy, is damage to or disease of a kidney. Nephritis is an inflammatory kidney disease and has several types according to the location of the inflammation. Inflammation can ...

Types

* Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis is often implied when using the term "nephritis" without qualification. * Interstitial nephritis (or tubulo-interstitial nephritis) is inflammation of the spaces between renal tubules.

Causes

Nephritis is often caused by infections, and toxins, but is most commonly caused by autoimmune disorders that affect the major organs like kidneys. * Pyelonephritis is inflammation that results from a urinary tract infection that reaches the

renal pelvis The renal pelvis or pelvis of the kidney is the funnel-like dilated part of the ureter in the kidney. It is formed by the covnvergence of the major calyces, acting as a funnel for urine flowing from the major calyces to the ureter. It has a mucous ...

of the kidney. *

Lupus nephritis Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. It is a type of glomerulonephritis in which the glomeruli become inflamed. Since it is a result of SLE, this type of glomerulon ...

is inflammation of the kidney caused by

systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe. Comm ...

(SLE), a disease of the immune system. * Athletic nephritis is nephritis resulting from strenuous exercise. Bloody urine after strenuous exercise may also result from march hemoglobinuria, which is caused by trauma to red blood cells, causing their rupture, which leads to the release of hemoglobin into the urine.

Mechanism

Nephritis can produce glomerular injury, by disturbing the glomerular structure with inflammatory cell proliferation. This can lead to reduced glomerular blood flow, leading to reduced urine output ( oliguria) and retention of waste products ( uremia). As a result, red blood cells may leak out of damaged glomeruli, causing blood to appear in the urine ( hematuria). Low renal blood flow activates the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), causing fluid retention and mild

hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...

. As the kidneys inflame, they begin to excrete needed protein from the affected individual's body into the urine stream. This condition is called proteinuria. Loss of necessary protein due to nephritis can result in several life-threatening symptoms. The most serious complication of nephritis can occur if there is significant loss of the proteins that keep blood from clotting excessively. Loss of these proteins can result in blood clots, causing sudden stroke.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis depends on the cause of the nephritis, and in the case of

lupus nephritis Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. It is a type of glomerulonephritis in which the glomeruli become inflamed. Since it is a result of SLE, this type of glomerulon ...

blood tests A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a hypodermic needle, or via fingerprick. Multiple tests for specific blood components, such as a glucose test or a cholester ...

, X-rays and an ultrasound can help ascertain if the individual has the condition.

Treatment

Nephritis and nephrosis world map - DALY - WHO2004

Treatment (or management) of nephritis depends on what has provoked the inflammation of the kidney(s). In the case of lupus nephritis, hydroxychloroquine could be used.

Prevalence

Nephritis represents the ninth most common cause of death among all women in the US (and the fifth leading cause among non- Hispanic black women). Worldwide, the highest rates of nephritis are 50-55% for African or Asian descent followed by Hispanic at 43% and

Caucasian Caucasian may refer to: Anthropology *Anything from the Caucasus region ** ** ** ''Caucasian Exarchate'' (1917–1920), an ecclesiastical exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Caucasus region * * * Languages * Northwest Caucasian l ...

at 17%. The average age of an individual diagnosed with kidney inflammation (in this case, lupus nephritis) is 28.4 years old.

References

External links

{{Nephrology Inflammations Kidney diseases