Infection-related glomerulonephritis: understanding mechanisms

The epidemiology of infection-related glomerulonephritis is undergoing striking changes, particularly in developed countries. The incidence of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) is decreasing because of the successful treatment of streptococcal infections. In contrast, because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infection-associated glomerulonephritis (SAAGN) is on the rise. In this review, we focus on the pathogenesis of PSAGN and SAAGN, but also emphasize the clinical importance of differentiating between two major forms of infection-related glomerulonephritis: postinfectious glomerulonephritis (such as PSAGN) and glomerulonephritis associated with active infection (such as SAAGN).