Health Encyclopedia

Search the Health Encyclopedia

Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease

Definition

Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (anti-GBM disease) is a rare disorder that can involve quickly worsening kidney failure and lung disease.

Some forms of the disease involve just the lungs or the kidneys. Anti-GBM disease used to be known as Goodpasture syndrome.

Alternative Names

Goodpasture syndrome; Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with pulmonary hemorrhage; Pulmonary renal syndrome; Glomerulonephritis - pulmonary hemorrhage

Causes

Anti-GBM disease is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. People with this syndrome develop substances that attack a protein called collagen in the tiny air sacs in the lungs and the filtering units (glomeruli) of the kidneys.

These substances are called antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies. The glomerular basement membrane is a part of the kidneys that helps filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. Antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies are antibodies against this membrane. They can damage the basement membrane, which can lead to kidney damage.

Sometimes, this disorder is triggered by a viral respiratory infection or by breathing in hydrocarbon solvents. In such cases, the immune system may attack organs or tissues because it mistakes them for these viruses or foreign chemicals.

The immune system's faulty response causes bleeding in the air sacs of the lungs and inflammation in the kidney's filtering units.

Symptoms

Symptoms may occur very slowly over months or even years, but they often develop very quickly over days to weeks.

Loss of appetite, fatigue, and weakness are common early symptoms.

Lung symptoms may include:

  • Coughing up blood
  • Dry cough
  • Shortness of breath

Kidney and other symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

A physical exam may reveal high blood pressure and signs of fluid overload. Your health care provider may hear abnormal heart and lung sounds when listening to the chest with a stethoscope.

Urinalysis results are often abnormal and show blood and protein in the urine. Abnormal red blood cells may be seen.

The following tests may also be done:

Treatment

The main goal is to remove the harmful antibodies from the blood. Treatment may include:

  • Plasmapheresis, which removes harmful antibodies to help reduce inflammation in the kidneys and lungs.
  • Corticosteroid medicines (such as prednisone) and other drugs, which suppress or quiet the immune system.
  • Medicines such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which help control blood pressure.
  • Dialysis, which may be done if kidney failure is severe and can no longer be treated by other means.
  • A kidney transplant, which may be done when your kidneys no longer function.

You may be told to limit your intake of salt and fluids to control swelling. In some cases, a low-to-moderate protein diet may be recommended.

Support Groups

More information and support for people with anti-GBM disease and their families can be found at:

Outlook (Prognosis)

An early diagnosis is very important. The outlook is much worse if the kidneys are already severely damaged when treatment begins. Lung damage can range from mild to severe.

Many people will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Possible Complications

Untreated, this condition can lead to any of the following:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider for an appointment if you are producing less urine, or you have any other symptoms of anti-GBM disease.

Prevention

Never sniff glue or siphon gasoline with your mouth, which exposes the lungs to hydrocarbon solvents and can cause the disease.

References

Phelps RG, Turner AN. Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease and Goodpasture disease. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 25.

Radhakrishnan J, Appel GB, D'Agati VD. Secondary glomerular disease. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 32.

Schwarz MI, Matson S. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 94.

Review Date:8/28/2023
Reviewed By:Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.

Health Outcome Data

No data available for this condition/procedure.

Health Encyclopedia

More Features