[Histological classification of chronic glomerular diseases]

The various clinicopathological forms of primary glomerulonephritis (GN) in humans include lipoid nephrosis with its histological variants (minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, diffuse mesangial proliferation, collapsing glomerulopathy), membranous GN, IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative GN (type I and type II) and crescentic GN. Each of these entities is characterised by pathological, clinical, and immunological features. Although the precise aetiology of primary GN remains unknown, progress has been recently achieved in the understanding of the mechanisms of the glomerular lesions and of their progression. Early diagnosis may lead to adequate treatment and prevention of progressive glomerular damage.