Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. One of many diesases?

Membranoproliferative (mesangio-capillary) glomerulonephritis (MPGN) has been divided into two types: type 1, MPGN with subendothelial deposits; type 2, MPGN with intramembranous dense deposits. Although the types are clinically similar, the light, immunofluorescent, and electron microscopical data differ. The cause in the majority of the cases is unknown, but chronic antigenemia as a pathogenic mechanism is suggested in cases associated with chronic bacteremia, chronic hepatitis, parasitic infections, certain blood dyscrasias, and partiallipodystrophy. Both the classic and the alternate pathway of complement activation may be important. The mechanism of the formation of the dense intramembranous deposits is unknown, but activation of the alternate pathway of complement appears to be an important factor. It is emphasized that while there are two basic pathologic types of MPGN, there are diverse clinical syndromes associated with these lesions, the recognition of which is crucial.