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Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the autoimmune system. It is a type of glomerulonephritis in which the glomeruli become inflamed. As the result of SLE, its cause is said to be ''secondary'' and has a different pattern and outcome from conditions with a ''primary'' cause originating in the kidney.〔 ==Signs and symptoms== General symptoms of lupus nephritis include Stage I disease (minimal mesangial glomerulonephritis) in its histology has a normal appearance under a light microscope, but mesangial deposits are visible under an electron microscope. At this stage urinalysis is normal.〔 Stage II disease (mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis) is noted by mesangial hypercellularity and matrix expansion. Microscopic haematuria with or without proteinuria may be seen. Hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, and acute kidney insufficiency are very rare at this stage. Stage III disease (focal glomerulonephritis) is indicated by sclerotic lesions involving less than 50% of the glomeruli, which can be segmental or global, and active or chronic, with endocapillary or extracapillary proliferative lesions. Under the electron microscopy, subendothelial deposits are noted, and some mesangial changes may be present. Immunofluorescence reveals positively for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q. Clinically, haematuria and proteinuria are present, with or without nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and elevated serum creatinine.〔 Stage IV disease (diffuse proliferative nephritis) is both the most severe, and the most common subtype. More than 50% of glomeruli are involved. Lesions can be segmental or global, and active or chronic, with endocapillary or extracapillary proliferative lesions. Under electron microscopy, subendothelial deposits are noted, and some mesangial changes may be present. Clinically, haematuria and proteinuria are present, frequently with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, hypocomplementemia, elevated anti-dsDNA titres and elevated serum creatinine.〔 Stage V disease (membranous glomerulonephritis) is characterized by diffuse thickening of the glomerular capillary wall (segmentally or globally), with diffuse membrane thickening, and subepithelial deposits seen under the electron microscope. Clinically, stage V presents with signs of nephrotic syndrome. Microscopic haematuria and hypertension may also been seen. Stage V also can also lead to thrombotic complications such as renal vein thromboses or pulmonary emboli.〔 A final stage is included by most practitioners, stage VI, or advanced sclerosing lupus nephritis. It is represented by global sclerosis involving more than 90% of glomeruli, and represents healing of prior inflammatory injury. Active glomerulonephritis is not usually present. This stage is characterised by slowly progressive kidney dysfunction, with relatively bland urine sediment. Response to immunotherapy is usually poor. A tubuloreticular inclusion is also characteristic of lupus nephritis, and can be seen under an electron microscope in all stages. It is not diagnostic however, as it exists in other conditions. It is thought to be due to the chronic interferon exposure. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「lupus nephritis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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