An Immunofluorescent Study of Pathogenic Mechanisms in Glomerular Diseases

Abstract

KNOWLEDGE of the natural history and structural aspects of glomerular diseases has been extended in recent years by the use of renal biopsies. However, the concepts derived from such studies are based on structural abnormalities, which provide no direct information about etiologic or pathogenic factors. The immunofluorescent technic has made it possible to identify materials that may have an etiologic or pathogenic role. For example, the demonstration of gamma globulin and a component of complement in a variety of glomerular diseases has been taken as evidence of a hypersensitivity mechanism.^{1 2 3 4} Furthermore, it has been claimed that streptococcal material can be . . .