Streptococcus-related acute glomerulonephritis

Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is likely the result of immune complex mechanisms. The current theories in search of the streptococcal antigen responsible for the initiation of the disease are reviewed. The finding of an extracellular protein unique to streptococci isolated from patients with APSGN and its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disease is presented.