Nephritic syndrome Nephritic syndrome is an inflammatory process that is defined as the presence of one or more of the following: Causes can be divided into infectious and non-infectious causes. Non-infectious causes can be further classified into primary causes and…
Overview Glomerular diseases affect the filtering units of the kidney, the glomeruli. They presents with proteinuria, hematuria or both and is usually diagnosed on a renal biopsy. They account for a significant proportion of acute and chronic kidney disease and…
Overview Prerenal failure is azotemia caused by poor perfusion of the nephrons. Low perfusion reduces glomerular pressure, which reduces the pressure difference between afferent arterioles and Bowman’s spaces. This ultimately leads to reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Reduced perfusion is…
Overview Chronic kidney disease 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.…
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.