Which condition is characterized by irreversible fibrosis, progression to end-stage renal failure, significant proteinuria, and kidney atrophy?

Which condition is characterized by irreversible fibrosis, progression to end-stage renal failure, significant proteinuria, and kidney atrophy?

• A. Acute Glomerulonephritis
• B. Chronic Glomerulonephritis
• C. Malakoplakia
• D. Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis

Answer: (B)

Long-standing glomerular injury that leads to scarring and loss of kidney function is chronic glomerulonephritis. Over time the persistent injury causes glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy, so the kidneys shrink and function declines inexorably, eventually reaching end-stage renal disease. The damaged glomerular filtration barrier lets proteins leak into the urine, so significant proteinuria is a hallmark as the disease progresses. Acute glomerulonephritis is an acute inflammatory process and may recover, not a steady march to fibrosis and ESRD. The other conditions involve different inflammatory or infectious processes and don’t characteristically produce irreversible renal fibrosis with progressive kidney atrophy and marked proteinuria leading to ESRD.

Long-standing glomerular injury that leads to scarring and loss of kidney function is chronic glomerulonephritis. Over time the persistent injury causes glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy, so the kidneys shrink and function declines inexorably, eventually reaching end-stage renal disease. The damaged glomerular filtration barrier lets proteins leak into the urine, so significant proteinuria is a hallmark as the disease progresses. Acute glomerulonephritis is an acute inflammatory process and may recover, not a steady march to fibrosis and ESRD. The other conditions involve different inflammatory or infectious processes and don’t characteristically produce irreversible renal fibrosis with progressive kidney atrophy and marked proteinuria leading to ESRD.