Acute glomerulonephritis. A clinical overview

Acute glomerulonephritis is a syndrome characterized by the abrupt onset of hematuria often accompanied by proteinuria, hypertension, edema, and renal dysfunction. Acute glomerulonephritis can be subdivided into primary glomerular disease, postinfectious glomerulonephritis, and glomerulonephritis associated with systemic disease. With few exceptions, the underlying mechanism of acute glomerulonephritis is an immunologic one. To differentiate clinically the specific etiology of the glomerulonephritis, attention must be focused on the presence of signs or symptoms of systemic disease, changes in the environment of the patient, family history of renal disease, and recent history of infectious disease.