IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, is a common primary glomerular disease around the world. It occurs when the antibody called IgA immunoglobulin deposits in the glomerular. It’s main characteristics are the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells and accumulation of the extracellular matrix. It can occur at any age, but 80% of the patients of this disease are between the ages of 16 and 35. It is common in children and the youth.

Over time, the immune complex may cause local inflammation. And the kidneys will fail to filter metabolism waste, excessive water and electrolytes from your blood.

IgA Nephropathy usually progresses slowly over many years. Some may leak blood or protein in the urine, some may suffer from high blood pressure and swelling(edema), and others develop into End-Stage Renal Failure.

Causes

1. Inflammatory reaction

Due to the stimulation of inflammation, the glomerular mesangial cells can produce inflammatory factors. Consequently, a large quantity of immune complex deposits in the kidney of patients and lead to the emergence of this disorder.

2. Participation of abnormal immune complex

The combination of deposition of IgA and other immune complexes in the mesangial area can destroy the normal structure of certain renal intrinsic cells, thus causing kidney damage.

3. Infection

The occurrence of this disorder can be associated with cold, fever, the upper respiratory tract infection, and gross hematuria. It tends to occur after the streptococcus infection, and most of the patients had experienced pharyngitis, tonsillitis and other infections 2-3 weeks ago.

4. Genetic factor

Research shows that parts of IgA patients will present family aggregation of this disorder, which showed this disease can be inherited to some extent.

The above are some basic knowledge about IgA Nephropathy. And if you have been diagnosed with this disease, you can email us: renal-disease@hotmail.com, our professional doctor will provide you much better advices about this disease.