Membranous Nephropathy

Membranous nephropathy is quite rare among the general population but is one of the more common glomerular diseases. The glomeruli are the filtering units of the kidney and there are around one million in each kidney. Thickening of glomerular basement membrane on electron microscopy IgG and C3 depositis with immunofluorescent stains is an important factor.

Disease pathophysiology: 

Subepithelial antigen-antibody immune-complex deposition. Diffuse granular IgG and complement deposition along GBM. Different isotypes depending on etiology. Can also have mesangial immune complex deposition (more typical of secondary forms). The interstitium is usually delicate; foamy macrophages may be seen on rare occasions. 

Disease statistics:

Spontaneous remission occurs in up to 20% or 30% of cases during the first year of the illness. However, this improvement is not definitive as some 50% to 60% of patients die and / or develop chronic renal failure 6 to 14 years after this remission. On the other hand, between 10% and 20% of patients have continuous episodes of remissions and relapses without dying or jeopardizing their kidney.

Disease treatment: 

Kidney transplant is a procedure in which the diseased kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney. High dose of immunosuppressive agents are required to prevent kidney rejection and they can cause many complications. Additionally, some complications are commonly seen after transplant like cancer, Diabetes, etc. The above difficult issues can happen among all people with kidney transplant. 

Major research on disease: 

Membranous Nephropathyhe main causes of death are cardiovascular, as a result of the chronicity of the syndrome, and thromboembolic accidents. Pronounced glomerular sclerosis and/or interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy are poor predictors of outcome.