Changing pattern of primary glomerulonephritis in a south Indian hospital

Data were reviewed on 2805 patients with primary glomerulonephritis admitted to a south Indian hospital in 1972-1987. A decrease in the proportion of endocapillary proliferative, crescentic and mesangial proliferative types was noted. There was also a decrease in group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal isolates among the 24,657 throat swab cultures made during the same period. This suggests a decreasing prevalence of nephritogenic streptococcal infections in this tropical region.