Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis

Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by the presence of hematuria, proteinuria and edema, and often hypertension and acute renal failure. Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is the prototypic disease of acute glomerulonephritis. It is seen after both streptococcal pharyngeal and skin infections with a latency period from infection to presentation of 7-14 days and 14-21 days respectively. Approximately 90 percent of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis occurs in young children. The diagnosis is made by supporting evidence of recent streptococcal infection, a positive ASO-titer or Anti-DNAase B titer, with associated hypocomplementemia. The disease is self-limited and generally requires only supportive therapy with resolution occurring over a period of weeks to months. There are generally no permanent sequelae in children. Adults may have a higher incidence of hypertension and chronic renal failure as a result of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.