Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
09:16
Supervised Machine Learning for Semi-Quantification of Extracellular DNA in Glomerulonephritis
Published on: June 18, 2020
7.2K
Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in Central Australia
1Alice Springs Hospital, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.
The Australian Journal of Rural Health
|October 30, 2019
Summary
Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is highest in Aboriginal children in Central Australia. Improved housing and reduced overcrowding are urgently needed to combat this Group A Streptococcus related disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is a post-infectious kidney disease.
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are a known trigger for APSGN.
- Limited data exists on APSGN incidence in remote Australian populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, and progress of APSGN in Central Australia.
- To identify associated biochemical abnormalities and co-occurring conditions.
- To inform public health strategies for disease prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational analysis of paediatric inpatient admissions.
- Inclusion criteria: patients under 14 years admitted to Alice Springs Hospital (2010-2014) meeting APSGN diagnostic criteria.
- Data collected on incidence, clinical features, biochemical markers, and co-infections.
Main Results:
- Identified 69 cases of APSGN (or probable APSGN) out of 174 reviewed.
- Calculated incidence of APSGN admission higher than previously reported, and the highest globally in children.
- Frequently documented skin infections, co-occurring infections (scabies, UTI, pneumonia), and acute kidney injury in 53 patients.
Conclusions:
- Aboriginal children in Central Australia exhibit the world's highest incidence of APSGN.
- Urgent improvements in housing and reduction of overcrowding are critical to decrease GAS-related disease burden.
- Without improved living conditions, significant reduction in APSGN morbidity is unlikely.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
810
Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
810
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
449
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of...
449
01:27Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
408
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such...
408
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
253
Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
253
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
231
Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
231
01:22Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
484
Introduction:Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) describes a swift decrease in kidney function occurring over hours to days, characterized by the kidneys' failure to remove waste products from the bloodstream. This leads to dangerous complications like metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. AKI is common in both hospital and outpatient settings, often triggered by dehydration, sepsis, or exposure to nephrotoxic...
484