What is Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy?
This is an autoimmune disease caused
by the body of some people producing too much of the antibody
Immunoglobulin A (IgA). The excess antibodies settle in the glomerulus,
which is a filter at the heart of each nephron in the kidneys. The
antibodies cause damage and so it is called nephron damage or in
scientific terms nephropathy.
IgAN starts with an infection
causing inflammation in either the digestive or respiratory system. People who have had their tonsils removed don't get respiratory
inflammation. There is an underlying genetic reason for some people
producing too much IgA. Research has shown that about a third of those
affected show no symptoms, a third get better and a third slowly
deteriorate.
Patients with IgAN may at first show
no symptoms. In other cases the urine has a high level of protein and
often there is blood in it. There may be a rash on the buttocks and on
the back of the thighs. Patients also suffer from tiredness. It may be
necessary to do a biopsy so the diagnosis can be confirmed under a
microscope.
IgAN is also associated with
problems caused by faulty white blood cells. In some patients these
become relatively sticky and cling to the walls of blood vessels that in
time can cause restricted blood flow and blockages. Dr Hameed is doing
research into the reasons behind white blood cells becoming sticky and
how this can be diagnosed using a blood test.
