Nephritic syndrome is an inflammatory process that is defined as the presence of one or more of the following: Its causes can be divided into infectious and non-infectious types. Non-infectious causes can be further classified into primary causes and secondary causes. Causes of nephritic glomerulonephritis Category Causes…
Overview Glomerular diseases affect the filtering units of the kidney. They presents with proteinuria, hematuria or both, and are usually diagnosed on a renal biopsy. They account for a significant proportion of acute and chronic kidney disease and are the most common cause of end stage renal disease (the exception…
Prerenal failure is azotemia caused by poor perfusion of the nephrons. Causes of prerenal failure Pathology Cause Nota bene Reduced vascular volume Haemorrhage, hypovolemia, diarrhoea and vomiting, burns, pancreatitis, hypoaldosteronism (Addison’s disease), third-spacing (hypoalbuminemia) Dehydration and systemic hypotension are the most…
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as kidney damage or decreased kidney function of < 60ml/min for > 3 months. It may be caused by glomerular, tubular or vascular injury, which may be detected on urinalysis, ultrasound or renal biopsy. The classification is based on…
Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection AKA Mycobacterium avium intracellular infection (MAI). Infection is similar to TB (primarily in the lungs, but can disseminate to cause systemic infections). If a patient presents with symptoms and CD4 is in double digits, treat presumptively…
Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP) Previously Pneumocystis carinii. A yeast-like, human-specific fungus that cannot be cultured in vivo.
Opportunistic Infections in HIV/AIDS Any patient with a CD4 count <200 (or who develops any of these infections) will be considered to be in the state of AIDS. CD4 Count (per uL) Opportunistic Infection <500 Thrush, Tuberculosis activation, Kaposi sarcoma…
Overview Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It is one of the few pulmonary infections that can disseminate to other organs if not treated (or contained). It is spread by airborne particles which may be expelled through coughing,…
Pneumonia Pneumonia is a generalized infection of the lung parenchyma Bottom Line Treatment for Pneumonia Type of Pneumonia Treatment Alternative Community-acquired (CAP) 3rd Generation Cephalosporin + Macrolide Fluoroquinolone Hospital-acquired (HAP) Vancomycin + Piperacillin/Tazobactam HIV/AIDS TMP-SMX + Steroids + Cover for…
Pulmonary abscess A pulmonary abscess is a focal, contained infection of the lung parenchyma. Key symptoms include fever, cough, and sputum. Requires a chest X-ray for diagnosis.