Glomerulopathies: Causes, Pathology and Treatment

Glomerulopathies, also known as glomerular diseases, refer to a set of diseases that are caused as a result of damage to glomeruli, which are microscopic blood vessels in the kidneys that filter blood. Damaged glomeruli may lead to an imbalance of protein, waste, acids and other substances in the blood. The major symptoms of glomerular diseases include albuminuria, hematuria, reduced glomerular filtration rate, hypoproteinemia and edema. There can be multiple causes of glomerular diseases such as infections, drugs toxic to the kidneys, diabetes or lupus. The diagnosis of glomerular diseases requires blood tests and urine analysis. Glomerulopathies can result in various medical complications like nephrotic syndrome, acute renal failure (sudden loss of kidney function), and chronic kidney failure. Treatment of glomerular diseases involves the use of blood pressure medicines such as ACE (angiotensin-converting enzymes) inhibitors that protect blood flow into the kidneys, steroids such as prednisone, and some other immune system-suppressing drugs. The topics covered in this extensive book deal with the recent studies on glomerulopathies. It explores their causes, pathology and treatment. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.