IgA Nephropathy Today

Book excerpt: A further step towards unraveling this mysterious disease Primary IgA nephropathy has first been described as a new disease entity almost 40 years ago. This disorder, considered to be an immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, is characterized by granular deposition of IgA (mainly IgA1) and C3 in the glomerular mesangial areas and is defined as nephropathy showing proliferative changes in the glomerular mesangial cells and increases in the mesangial matrices. Apart from being one of the most common types of chronic glomerulonephritis, it is also the most frequent case of end-stage renal disease. But even though continuing efforts have gradually clarified various aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease, specific treatment is not yet available. In this publication, international nephrologists and basic scientists report the most recent data on IgA nephropathy. Starting with clinical reviews on topics such as the clinico-pathological classification, new treatment approaches, and the role of renal biopsies, the focus then shifts towards basic reviews on, for example, candidate genes, the pathogenic role of IgA receptors or immune complex formation. Updates on clinical and basic advances, discussing among other things the influence of obesity or various therapeutic approaches, make up the second part of the book. Presenting up-to-date information on this still mysterious disease, the publication at hand constitutes a valuable source of information for nephrologists, general practitioners, residents and interns.