Post-streptococcal GN

Alternative names:

glomerulonephritis - post-streptococcal; post-infectious glomerulonephritis

Symptoms:

• visible blood in the urine
• smoky urine
• rust-colored urine
• urine output, decreased
• edema (swelling)
  • swelling of the face or eyes (common)
  • swelling of the feet, ankles, extremities
  • swelling of the abdomen
  • generalized swelling

• cough, with sputum

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• joint stiffness
• joint pain

Signs and tests:

An examination shows edema, especially of the face. Generalized or peripheral or dependent edema may also appear. Circulatory congestion is common, with associated abnormal sounds heard when listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation). The blood pressure is often high.

• Urinalysis shows white blood cells, casts, and other abnormalities.
• Urine protein may be present but is usually less than with nephrotic syndrome.
• Urine sodium may be low.
• Serum ASO may be elevated.
• Serum complement levels usually decrease.
• Kidney biopsy confirms post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, but biopsy is not usually necessary.
• The results of an anti-DNAase B test may be abnormal.