Rapidly progressive ("crescentic") glomerulonephritis

Rapidly progressive ("crescentic") glomerulonephritis is a primary glomerulonephritis, which produces nephritic syndrome (hematuria, oliguria, uremia, hypertension and mild proteinuria). The prognosis is severe, with rapid and irreversible evolution to renal failure.

Etiology of rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis : streptococcal infection, systemic lupus, vasculitis, Goodpasture's syndrome, idiopathic.

Rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis

Rapidly progressive ("crescentic") glomerulonephritis - the majority of glomeruli present "crescents". Formation of crescents is initiated by passage of fibrin into the Bowman space as a result of increased permeability of glomerular basement membrane. Fibrin stimulates the proliferation of parietal cells of Bowman capsule, and an influx of monocytes. Rapid growing and fibrosis of crescents compresses the capillary loops and decreases the Bowman space which leads to renal failure within weeks or months. (H&E, ob. x20)

Rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis (02)

Last updated : 01/30/2009