Clinical Observations of Poststreptococcal Acute Glomerulonephritis in the Adult

Abstract

The incidence of poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) in the adult has been thought to be much lower than the child. However, in almost one year of 1973 we could observe 12 cases of PSAGN in our medical department. The diagnosis was based on the following clinical criteria ; 1) No past history of renal disease, proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension or edema. 2) No extrarenal or laboratory data consisting with a systemic disease. 3) Preceding history of infection, mainly, of upper respiratory tract. 4) Acute onset of proteinuria and hematuria, hypertension and/or edema. 5) Elevation of ASO titer. The clinical data and course of these cases were precisely described. It is known that PSAGN may occur without the elevation of ASO titer or with only unrinary abnormalities without clinical manifestations. Considering these facts, the incidence of PSAGN in the adult seems much higher than previously thought. Based on our observations, the possibility is raised that PSAGN may be the main pathogenetic underlying disease in patients with asymptomatic proteinuria or so called chronic glomerulonephritis. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.