Focal proliferative nephritis
Encyclopedia
Focal proliferative nephritis is a type of glomerulonephritis
seen in 20% to 35% of cases of SLE
, classified as type III SLE. As the name suggests, lesions are visualized in only portions of fewer than half the glomeruli. Typically, one or two foci within an otherwise normal glomerulus
show swelling
and proliferation
of endothelial and mesangial cells, infiltration by neutrophils, and/or fibrinoid deposits with capillary
thrombi. Focal glomerulonephritis is usually associated with only mild microscopic
hematuria
and proteinuria
; a transition to a more diffuse form of renal involvement is associated with more severe disease
.
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis, also known as glomerular nephritis, abbreviated GN, is a renal disease characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, or small blood vessels in the kidneys...
seen in 20% to 35% of cases of SLE
SLE
-Medicine:* Systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease affecting multiple systems in the body* Slit lamp examination, as used to examine the eye during an eye examination* St...
, classified as type III SLE. As the name suggests, lesions are visualized in only portions of fewer than half the glomeruli. Typically, one or two foci within an otherwise normal glomerulus
Glomerulus
A glomerulus is a capillary tuft that is involved in the first step of filtering blood to form urine.A glomerulus is surrounded by Bowman's capsule, the beginning component of nephrons in the vertebrate kidney. A glomerulus receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole of the renal...
show swelling
Swelling (medical)
In medical parlance, swelling is the transient enlargement or protuberance in the body and may include tumors. According to cause, it may be congenital, traumatic, inflammatory, neoplastic or miscellaneous....
and proliferation
Cell growth
The term cell growth is used in the contexts of cell development and cell division . When used in the context of cell division, it refers to growth of cell populations, where one cell grows and divides to produce two "daughter cells"...
of endothelial and mesangial cells, infiltration by neutrophils, and/or fibrinoid deposits with capillary
Capillary
Capillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the microcirculation. They are only 1 cell thick. These microvessels, measuring 5-10 μm in diameter, connect arterioles and venules, and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrient and waste...
thrombi. Focal glomerulonephritis is usually associated with only mild microscopic
Microscopic
The microscopic scale is the scale of size or length used to describe objects smaller than those that can easily be seen by the naked eye and which require a lens or microscope to see them clearly.-History:...
hematuria
Hematuria
In medicine, hematuria, or haematuria, is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It may be idiopathic and/or benign, or it can be a sign that there is a kidney stone or a tumor in the urinary tract , ranging from trivial to lethal...
and proteinuria
Proteinuria
Proteinuria means the presence of anexcess of serum proteins in the urine. The protein in the urine often causes the urine to become foamy, although foamy urine may also be caused by bilirubin in the urine , retrograde ejaculation, pneumaturia due to a fistula, or drugs such as pyridium.- Causes...
; a transition to a more diffuse form of renal involvement is associated with more severe disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
.