Glomerulonephritis is a general term used to describe inflammation in the kidneys’ glomeruli (i.e. part of the kidneys’ functional units) and its clinical consequences. This inflammatory condition is not caused by infections (as a direct consequence), but is mediated by the body’s own immune system.

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Glomerulonephritis (pleural: ‘glomerulonephritides’) may have many causes and should not be confused with pyelonephritis, a term used to describe infections (mostly bacterial) of the renal substance. Pyelonephritis is often localised to the ductile systems and the surrounding tissue of the kidneys.

In patients with glomerulonephritis, both kidneys are involved symmetrically, initially with immunologically mediated injury, later progressively affected by secondary mechanisms.

The renal lesions may be part of a generalised systemic disease, such as systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) or be the primary (and only) site of pathology.

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