Rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritides
Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2024, 60(6), 5-11.
R. Gancheva1, J. Ananiev2, E. Ivanova-Todorova3, D. Kyurkchiev3, Cv. Marinova4, At. Kundurdjiev5, M. Nikolova5
1 Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital Sofiamed, Medical Faculty, Sofia University Sv. Kl. Ohridski – Sofia
2 Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora
3 Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Sv. Iv. Rilski, Department of Clinical immunology, Medical University – Sofia
4 Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Sv. Iv. Rilski, Medical University – Sofia
5 Clinic of Nephrology, University Hospital Sv. Iv. Rilski, Medical University – Sofia
Abstract. Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritides (RPGN) are a heterogenous group of diseases that manifest with nephritic and less frequently with nephrotic syndrome and rapidly progressive renal failure and histologically are characterized by the presence of extracapillary proliferation in the form of crescents in glomeruli. RPGN often represent renal manifestation of underlying systemic small-vessel vasculitis. Untreated, RPGN usually lead to fast developing end-stage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy. The authors present the current knowledge on etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of RPGN.
Key words: rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, ANCA, anti-GBM, systemic vasculitis, diagnosis, treatment
Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Milena Nikolova, MD, PhD, e-mail: milena_i_dani@abv.bg