MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS (Robbins pp 953, )

• General: a.k.a: membranous nephropathy. Causes: Nephrotic syndrome.
• Epidemiology/At risk individuals: 85% have primary idiopathic, 15% have 2^nd disease.
• Clinical features / course: nonselective proteinuria. There is susceptibility in certain individuals to produce antibodies against the visceral epithelium ≫ Heymann nephritis pattern ≫ eventually leads to protein leakage. Unlike FSGS, only 10% ≫ ESRF.
• Morphology: 4 stages:
• 1) subepithelial deposits + global, diffuse glomerular capillary wall thickening,
  
• 2) basement membrane projects encircle deposits (spikes),
  
• 3) mesangial sclerosis,
  
• 4) reabsorption of protein ≫ hyaline droplets in proximal tubule cells.
• Treatment: poor response to corticosteroids.

Category: Pathology Notes