aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
In the majority of cases of glomerulonephritis the aetiology is unknown. In a few cases however an aetiological agent can be identified, for example in post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis one can often find raised titres to antistreptolysin-O (ASO).
Known aetiological factors for glomerulonephritis include:
- bacteria:
- Staphylococcus spp.
- Lancefiled group A B-haemolytic streptococci
- Streptococcus viridans
- Treponema pallidum
- viruses:
- Coxsackie virus
- Epstein Barr virus
- hepatitis B virus
- measles
- mumps
- parasites:
- Plasmodium malariae
- Schistosoma spp.
- drugs:
- penicillamine
- host antigens:
- cryoglobulin
- DNA
- tumour antigens