What causes glomerulonephritis?

What causes glomerulonephritis?

• A. Untreated strep throat
• B. Dehydration
• C. High salt intake
• D. Allergies

Answer: (A)

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the kidney’s glomeruli, typically from an immune-driven process after infection. An untreated strep throat can be the trigger because certain nephritogenic strains of group A Streptococcus stimulate antibodies that form immune complexes. These complexes deposit in the glomeruli and activate complement, drawing inflammatory cells into the filtration barrier. The resulting inflammation damages the glomeruli, leading to leakage of blood and protein into the urine, along with possible edema and hypertension. Dehydration isn’t a direct cause of glomerular inflammation; it mainly affects kidney perfusion. High salt intake affects fluid balance and blood pressure but does not initiate the inflammatory process in the glomeruli. Allergies can relate to other kidney issues, but they aren’t the typical cause of glomerulonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the kidney’s glomeruli, typically from an immune-driven process after infection. An untreated strep throat can be the trigger because certain nephritogenic strains of group A Streptococcus stimulate antibodies that form immune complexes. These complexes deposit in the glomeruli and activate complement, drawing inflammatory cells into the filtration barrier. The resulting inflammation damages the glomeruli, leading to leakage of blood and protein into the urine, along with possible edema and hypertension.

Dehydration isn’t a direct cause of glomerular inflammation; it mainly affects kidney perfusion. High salt intake affects fluid balance and blood pressure but does not initiate the inflammatory process in the glomeruli. Allergies can relate to other kidney issues, but they aren’t the typical cause of glomerulonephritis.