IgA Nephropathy Quiz

IgA Nephropathy: Understanding Etiology and Pathogenesis

• IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a glomerulonephritis characterized by mesangial deposition of IgA.
• IgAN is defined by the presence of an immune reactant, rather than any other morphologic feature on renal biopsy.
• IgAN is the most prevalent pattern of glomerular disease in Western and Asian countries.
• IgAN is likely a common response to various injurious mechanisms and not a single entity.
• The regular recurrence of IgAN after renal transplantation in patients with prior underlying IgAN suggests an abnormality in the host IgA immune system.
• IgA is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the body and is chiefly concerned with mucosal defense.
• The mesangial IgA in IgAN is predominantly polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1).
• The clinical association with mucosal infections or superantigens from Staphylococcus aureus originally suggested that the mesangial pIgA1 comes from the mucosal immune system.
• There is evidence for mucosal hyperresponsiveness to a variety of food antigens in patients with IgAN.
• Tonsillar pIgA1 production is also increased in IgAN, although IgAN can occur after tonsillectomy.
• Hepatic clearance of IgA is reduced, possibly because of the altered molecular characteristics of IgA in IgAN.
• High serum IgA levels are not useful for diagnosing IgAN, but circulating macromolecular IgA is characteristic of IgAN.

IgA Nephropathy: Understanding Etiology and Pathogenesis

• IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a glomerulonephritis characterized by mesangial deposition of IgA.
• IgAN is defined by the presence of an immune reactant, rather than any other morphologic feature on renal biopsy.
• IgAN is the most prevalent pattern of glomerular disease in Western and Asian countries.
• IgAN is likely a common response to various injurious mechanisms and not a single entity.
• The regular recurrence of IgAN after renal transplantation in patients with prior underlying IgAN suggests an abnormality in the host IgA immune system.
• IgA is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the body and is chiefly concerned with mucosal defense.
• The mesangial IgA in IgAN is predominantly polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1).
• The clinical association with mucosal infections or superantigens from Staphylococcus aureus originally suggested that the mesangial pIgA1 comes from the mucosal immune system.
• There is evidence for mucosal hyperresponsiveness to a variety of food antigens in patients with IgAN.
• Tonsillar pIgA1 production is also increased in IgAN, although IgAN can occur after tonsillectomy.
• Hepatic clearance of IgA is reduced, possibly because of the altered molecular characteristics of IgA in IgAN.
• High serum IgA levels are not useful for diagnosing IgAN, but circulating macromolecular IgA is characteristic of IgAN.

Test your knowledge of IgA Nephropathy and learn about its etiology and pathogenesis with this informative quiz. From the prevalence of this glomerulonephritis to the role of IgA in mucosal defense, this quiz covers essential topics that will help you understand IgAN better. Challenge yourself by answering questions about the mesangial deposition of IgA, the abnormality in the host IgA immune system, and the evidence for mucosal hyperresponsiveness in patients with IgAN