Preceded by (work): Primer on kidney diseases. 5th ed. c2009.

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis in developed countries. The primary defect lies in the abnormalities of the IgA molecule. The disease affects all ages, mainly in the young adults, and may recur in a transplanted kidney. This outstanding volume provides a comprehensive overview of the advances in this disease over the last ten years. It covers the genetics, epidemiology, clinicopathological features, pathogenesis, prognostic mechanisms, and treatment of this unique disease. Twenty-seven chapters are written by 43 experts from 13 countries; these experts have been providing forefront scientific findings to the scientific community for the last 20 years. The book covers all clinical, pathological and molecular aspects of IgA nephropathy. This is an essential source of reference for nephrologists, internists, pathologists, and molecular biologists. It is also suitable reading for graduate students or research scientists in the field of kidney diseases.

The podocyte is a key cell that forms the last barrier of the kidney filtration unit. One of the most exciting developments in the field of nephrology in the last decade has been the elucidation of its biology and its role in the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired glomerular disease, termed podocytopathy. In this publication, world-renowned experts summarize the most recent findings and advances in the field: they describe the unique biological features and injury mechanisms of the podocyte, novel techniques used in their study, and diagnosis and potential therapeutic approaches to glomerular diseases. Due to its broad scope, this publication is of great value not only for clinical nephrologists and researchers, but also for students, residents, fellows, and postdocs.

A further step towards unraveling this mysterious disease Primary IgA nephropathy has first been described as a new disease entity almost 40 years ago. This disorder, considered to be an immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, is characterized by granular deposition of IgA (mainly IgA1) and C3 in the glomerular mesangial areas and is defined as nephropathy showing proliferative changes in the glomerular mesangial cells and increases in the mesangial matrices. Apart from being one of the most common types of chronic glomerulonephritis, it is also the most frequent case of end-stage renal disease. But even though continuing efforts have gradually clarified various aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease, specific treatment is not yet available. In this publication, international nephrologists and basic scientists report the most recent data on IgA nephropathy. Starting with clinical reviews on topics such as the clinico-pathological classification, new treatment approaches, and the role of renal biopsies, the focus then shifts towards basic reviews on, for example, candidate genes, the pathogenic role of IgA receptors or immune complex formation. Updates on clinical and basic advances, discussing among other things the influence of obesity or various therapeutic approaches, make up the second part of the book. Presenting up-to-date information on this still mysterious disease, the publication at hand constitutes a valuable source of information for nephrologists, general practitioners, residents and interns.

Experts in the field of renal disease offer careful pathologic descriptions, appropriate clinical correlations, and extensive discussions on causes and pathogenesis to clarify the clinicians understanding and help facilitate easy, accurate diagnosis. This updated edition features hundreds of razor-sharp illustrations along with more international contributors than before.

This Handbook serves as a convenient, state-of-the-art and comprehensive resource on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of glomerular diseases. Clinical approaches, modalities and challenges are provided, along with new developments since the publication of Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO): Glomerulonephritis. Chapters dedicated to glomerular diseases mirror the current classification schemes used by Nephrologists and Pathologists and will include definition and natural history, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment (algorithms when appropriate), prognosis and future prospects and current direction of research. Contributing authors consist of internationally renowned glomerulonephritis experts, renal pathologists and clinical nephrologists who are engaged in the management of glomerular diseases in clinical pediatric and internal medicine practices. Glomerulonephritis fills a considerable knowledge gap for general nephrologists, providers involved with the care of patients with glomerular diseases, and researchers. It should also be of value to medical students, interns, residents and fellows, as well as all clinicians engaged in medical education.