What is the most common cause of primary glomerulonephritis?

The most common cause of primary glomerulonephritis is IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease. This condition is characterized by the deposition of immunoglobulin A in the mesangial cells of the glomerulus, leading to inflammation and damage to the kidney's filtering units. It is often associated with episodes of hematuria (blood in urine) and can occur following respiratory infections, which contributes to its recognition in clinical practice.

IgA nephropathy is more prevalent globally and is the leading cause of glomerulonephritis found in various epidemiological studies. Unlike other forms of glomerulonephritis, such as membranous nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which may have specific etiologies or associations with systemic conditions, IgA nephropathy is primarily diagnosed based on its characteristic immunological findings and is primarily classified as a primary glomerulonephritis.

Other causes of glomerulonephritis, such as post-infectious glomerulonephritis, often follow a specific infectious event, making them secondary rather than primary causes. This distinction emphasizes the regularity and foundational nature of IgA nephropathy within the spectrum of primary glomer