Hypothesis on the pathogenesis of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis based on recent clinical and experimental...

The current theories on the pathogenesis of post streptococcal glomerulonephritis are reviewed. Clinical findings during the last decades have indicated the involvement of an immune mechanism. However, the lack of adequate animal models has hampered a thorough understanding of the development of the disease from the initiating infection to the final glomerulonephritic sequelae. Several facts point to the presence of a special nephritogenic streptococcal factor which is directly or indirectly involved in the pathogenesis. There seems to be a plasminogen activator (PA) with unique properties. Data on animals experiments using streptococci producing this factor as well as on injections of the pure substance are presented and correlated to the finding in post streptococcal glomerulonephritis in man.