glomerulonephritis

noun

glo·​mer·​u·​lo·​ne·​phri·​tis glə-ˌmer-(y)ə-lō-ni-ˈfrī-təs 

plural glomerulonephritides glə-ˌmer-(y)ə-lō-ni-ˈfri-tə-ˌdēz 

: acute or chronic nephritis that involves inflammation of the capillaries of the renal glomeruli, has various causes (such as streptococcal infection, lupus, or vasculitis) or may be of unknown cause, and is marked especially by blood or protein in the urine and by edema, and if untreated may lead to kidney failure

Examples of glomerulonephritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other conditions that can cause kidney failure include polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and kidney infections. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 30 Sep. 2024

There are several types of glomerulonephritis, with unique causes (e.g., lupus, diabetes, or viral infection) and varying degrees of severity. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024

Chronic glomerulonephritis is a little different. —Hallie Levine, Health.com, 27 Oct. 2021

Her team also documented eight patients who were newly diagnosed with the disease, known as glomerulonephritis, after receiving the shot. —Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2022

Other possible causes of chronic kidney disease include polycystic kidney disease, lupus, IgA glomerulonephritis, IgA vasculitis, Alport syndrome, renal artery stenosis, autoimmune disorders like Goodpasture’s disease, and some infections. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 17 May 2021

Johnson was in his 20s when he was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, an acute inflammation of the kidney. —Madeline Buckley, chicagotribune.com, 14 June 2019

Microscopic or visible blood in your pee is a common sign of glomerulonephritis, which is when your kidneys' filtering system becomes inflamed, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Korin Miller, SELF, 19 Sep. 2018

Treatment for glomerulonephritis depends on factors like the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms. —Korin Miller, SELF, 19 Sep. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1886, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

glomerulonephritis

noun

glo·​mer·​u·​lo·​ne·​phri·​tis -ˌmer-(y)ə-lō-ni-ˈfrīt-əs 

plural glomerulonephritides -ˈfrit-ə-ˌdēz 

: acute or chronic nephritis that involves inflammation of the capillaries of the renal glomeruli, has various causes (such as streptococcal infection, lupus, or vasculitis) or may be of unknown cause, is marked especially by blood or protein in the urine and by edema, and if untreated may lead to kidney failure

Glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertension are the major causes of human kidney failure that lead to dialysis or transplantation.

—Wayne A. Border et al., Science & Medicine