Classification of Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis Based on Immunofluorescence Microscopy
Type | Approximate Percentage of RPGN Cases* | Causes |
|---|---|---|
Anti-GBM antibody–mediated | 20% | Anti-GBM GN (without lung hemorrhage†) Goodpasture syndrome (with lung hemorrhage) |
Immune complex-mediated | 50% | Postinfectious causes:
Systemic rheumatic diseases:
Other glomerulopathies:
|
Pauci-immune | 30% | Granulomatosis with polyangiitis Renal-limited vasculitis (eg, idiopathic crescentic GN) |
Double-antibody positive | Rare | Same as for anti-GBM antibody-mediated and pauci-immune types |
* Data from Satoskar AA, Parikh SV, Nadasdy T. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and outcomes of infection-associated glomerulonephritis. Nat Rev Nephrol 2020;16(1):32-50. doi:10.1038/s41581-019-0178-8 | ||
† When the lung is also affected, anti-GBM glomerulonephritis is called Goodpasture syndrome. | ||
GBM = glomerular basement membrane; GN = glomerulonephritis; RPGN = rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis; IgA = immunoglobulin A. | ||