Pathology of the urinary system

a) Pathogenesis of GN

 

   ∙ 

largely, but not exclusively, associated with two main immune-mediated mechanisms: 

 

 

Deposition of antigen-antibody (Ag-Ab) complexes

 

 

  - 

result of persistent antigenemia (type III hypersensitivity reaction) → Ags bind to Abs → 

formation of immune complexes → deposition of immune complexes within, or on either 

side of, the GBM → complement fixation → leukocyte infiltration; 

 

  - 

persistent Ag can be viral, bacterial, parasitic or exogenous (e.g. production of hyperimmune 

serum); 

 

  - 

examples of persistent antigenemia: chronic pyometra or pyoderma in dogs and cats, 

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15

 

infection by the heartworm 

Dirofiliria immitis

 in dogs, systemic lupus erythematosus, feline 

leukemia virus infection, equine infectious anemia, equine strangles, hog cholera, 

trypanosomiasis in ruminants.