[Pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis following streptococcal infection]

Group A streptococci are responsible for the induction of serious pyoderma and pharyngitis in humans. The nonsuppurative sequelae "acute rheumatic fever" (ARF) and "acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis" (APGN) do very often occur with variable attack rates in epidemics with these microorganisms. At present, immune complex formation in the blood circulation system, in situ complex formation within the glomeruli, antibody cross-reactions between beta-hemolytic group A streptococci and human kidney tissue as well as tissue damage independent of specific antibodies are intensively discussed to explain the pathogenesis of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. However, the pathophysiological course of APGN has not yet been precisely identified.