Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in adult Nigerians: A report of 4 cases

Abstract

The clinicopathological features of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPCiN) were studied in 4 young adult Nigerians who presented with acute GN. There was a predilection for males with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Hypertension, nephrotic-range albuminuria, haematuria granular and cellular urinary casts, and a rapid progression to severe renal failure or death were the findings in all four patients. Renal biopsy revealed histological features compatible with findings in RPGN in all the patients, including the presence of crescents and epithelial cellular proliferation. The study shows that the early development of hypertension and deterioration of renal function in patients with features of acute glomerulonephritis should arouse suspicion of a rapidly progressive GN whose course could be altered by appropriate therapeutic measures, some of which are highlighted