Question

Patient with nephrotic range proteinuria and hematuria, kidney biopsy shows dense intramembranous deposits of C3:

a) Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I
b) Membranous nephropathy
c) IgA nephropathy
d) Alport syndrome

Answer 1

A patient with nephrotic range proteinuria and hematuria, and kidney biopsy showing dense intramembranous deposits of C3 is most likely diagnosed with Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient presents with nephrotic range proteinuria and hematuria, and a kidney biopsy shows dense intramembranous deposits of C3, the diagnosis is likely Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I. This condition falls under the category of glomerulonephritis, which is an inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys. MPGN type I is characterized by a specific set of pathological changes in the kidneys, including the deposition of C3 along the glomerular basement membrane, which can be seen in kidney biopsies. It differs from the other conditions listed, such as Membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and Alport syndrome, based on these biopsy findings and clinical presentation. Additionally, MPGN type I forms part of a spectrum of diseases known as nephritic syndrome, which typically presents with hematuria, hypertension, and variable degrees of proteinuria.