membranous glomerulopathy

Definition: Membranous glomerulopathy is a kidney disease that affects the glomeruli (filters that remove toxins from the blood) producing damage of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM).

Membranous glomerulopathy (also called membranous glomerulonephritis) is the most common cause for nephrotic syndrome in Caucasian adults, and also occurs in other ethnic groups.

Under microscope examination of the kidney tissue, the GBM is thickened due to the deposition of immune complexes. The damage leads to protein spilling in the urine and in some cases to loss of kidney function or complete renal failure.

Etiology

 idiopathic GM
 syphilis
 hepatitis B (VHB)

 dysimmunity

• hashimoto thyroiditis
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sjögren syndrome

 malignamcies

• Carcinomas
• Sarcomas
• Leukemias

 medications

• D-penicillamine
• gold
• mercuric chloride
• analgesics: diclofenac, fenoprofen and ketoprofen (NSAIDs)
• captopril.

See also

 renal lesions

• glomerular lesions

 renal lesional syndromes