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IgA nephropathy — ABIM Board MCQ

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ModerateNephrologyIgA nephropathyABIM Board

A 24-year-old develops gross hematuria two days after an upper-respiratory infection. Kidney function is preserved; microscopic hematuria and mild proteinuria persist between episodes, and complement levels are normal. Which diagnosis is most likely?

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Correct answer: B — IgA nephropathy with synpharyngitic glomerular hematuria

The best answer is “IgA nephropathy with synpharyngitic glomerular hematuria”. IgA nephropathy typically causes synpharyngitic hematuria during or within days of a mucosal infection and usually has normal complement. Postinfectious glomerulonephritis follows after a longer latent period and often lowers C3. The remaining disorders do not fit the recurrent infection-linked nephritic pattern.

Reference: KDIGO 2021 Glomerular Diseases Guideline: https://kdigo.org/guidelines/gd/