Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Overview
Learn About Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is a kidney disorder that involves inflammation and changes to kidney cells. It may lead to kidney failure.
Membranoproliferative GN I; Membranoproliferative GN II; Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis; Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis; Lobular GN; Glomerulonephritis - membranoproliferative; MPGN type I; MPGN type II
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. The glomeruli of the kidney help filter wastes and fluids from the blood to form urine.
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a form of glomerulonephritis caused by an abnormal immune response. Deposits of antibodies build up in a part of the kidneys called the glomerular basement membrane. This membrane helps filter wastes and extra fluids from the blood.
Damage to this membrane affects the kidney's ability to create urine normally. It may allow blood and protein to leak into the urine. If enough protein leaks into the urine, fluid may leak out of the blood vessels into body tissues, leading to swelling (edema). Nitrogen waste products may also build up in the blood (azotemia).
The 2 forms of this disease are MPGN I and MPGN II.
Most people with the disease have type I. MPGN II is much less common. It also tends to get worse faster than MPGN I.
Causes of MPGN may include:
- Autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome, sarcoidosis)
- Cancer (leukemia, lymphoma)
- Infections (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, endocarditis, malaria)
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Blood in the urine
- Changes in mental status such as decreased alertness or decreased concentration
- Cloudy urine
- Dark urine (smoke, cola, or tea colored)
- Decrease in urine volume
- Swelling of any part of the body
Treatment depends on the symptoms. The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, and slow the progression of the disorder.
You may need a change in diet. This may include limiting sodium, fluids, or protein to help control high blood pressure, swelling, and the buildup of waste products in the blood.
Medicines that may be prescribed include:
- Blood pressure medicines
- Dipyridamole, with or without aspirin
- Diuretics
- Medicines to suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide
- Steroids
Treatment is more effective in children than in adults. Dialysis or kidney transplant may eventually be needed to manage kidney failure.
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Katherine Perry is a Pediatric Nephrologist and a Nephrologist in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Perry has been practicing medicine for over 26 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. Her top area of expertise is Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. Dr. Perry is currently accepting new patients.
Desert Kidney Associates Plc
Ijaz Ali is a Nephrologist in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Ali and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Kidney Disease, Nephrosclerosis, Renovascular Hypertension, and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Dr. Ali is currently accepting new patients.
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Sami Alasfar is a Nephrologist and a Neurologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Alasfar and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Kidney Disease, Glomerulonephritis, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Alasfar is currently accepting new patients.
The disorder often slowly gets worse and eventually results in chronic kidney failure.
Half of people with this condition develop long-term (chronic) kidney failure within 10 years. This is more likely in those who have higher levels of protein in their urine.
Complications that may result from this disease include:
- Acute nephritic syndrome
- Acute renal failure
- Chronic kidney disease
Contact your provider if:
- You have symptoms of this condition
- Your symptoms get worse or do not go away
- You develop new symptoms, including decreased urine output
Preventing infections such as hepatitis or managing diseases such as lupus may help prevent MPGN.
Summary: This study is designed as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iptacopan (LNP023) in idiopathic immune complex mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
Summary: The aim of this cross-over trial is to assess aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, as a novel treatment to block complement activation in the kidneys and thereby attenuate renal disease and stabilize or improve kidney function and compare it to the currently used treatment with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, in patients with the complement-mediated renal disease C3 glomeru...
Published Date: August 28, 2023
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Radhakrishnan J, Stokes MB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 107.
Saha MK, Pendergraft WF, Jennette JC, Falk RJ. Primary glomerular disease. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.
Sethi S, De Vriese AS, Fervenza FC. Immunoglobulin-mediated glomerulonephritis with a membranoproliferative pattern of injury and cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 22.