IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease)

Alternative names:

Berger's disease; nephropathy - IgA

Definition:

A kidney disorder characterized by blood in the urine; caused by inflammation of the internal kidney structures and deposits of IgA antibodies in the kidney mesangial tissue.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease) is a form of mesangial proliferative nephritis. Inflammation of the renal glomeruli occurs, and there are IgA (a type of antibody) deposits in the kidney. The disorder can appear as acute, rapidly progressive, or chronic glomerulonephritis; or as visible or microscopic hematuria (blood in the urine).

Berger's disease usually is discovered after one or more episodes of dark or bloody urine in a person with no other symptoms of kidney disorder. Bloody urine may begin during or soon after a respiratory infection. Although acute nephritic syndrome or nephrotic syndrome (groups of symptoms associated with decreased kidney functioning) may be present, the disorder usually does not permanently affect kidney function. On rare occasions it may progress to chronic renal failure.

Risk factors include having a personal or family history of IgA nephropathy or Henoch Schonlein purpura (a form of vasculitis that affects many parts of the body, and may cause a kidney lesion that is identical to the lesion of Berger's disease).

Berger's disease can occur in persons of all ages, but most often affects males in their teens to late 30s.