Kidney biopsy in the diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
- 1Division of Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
- 2Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
- 3Clinical Trial Center and Laboratory of Nephrology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a kidney disease characterized by deposition of galactose-deficient IgA1-containing immune complexes in the glomerular mesangium. It is the most common primary glomerular disease worldwide, affecting approximately 2.5 persons per 100,000 population annually. A definitive IgAN diagnosis requires a kidney biopsy. However, non-specific clinical signs, limited disease awareness, and lack of validated biomarkers can delay nephrology referral from primary care providers, prolonging time to diagnosis and negatively impacting patient outcomes. In this perspective, we aim to raise awareness of the importance of timely kidney biopsy in IgAN. To do so, we first outline the key clinical features of IgAN and kidney biopsy indications that should prompt nephrology referral. Subsequently, we highlight the diagnostic and prognostic significance of kidney biopsy findings, examine barriers to kidney biopsy completion, and provide our outlook on the ways in which kidney biopsy may be useful for IgAN management in the future.
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BibTeX
@article{campbell2026kidney,
title = {{Kidney biopsy in the diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.}},
author = {Kirk N Campbell and Anthony Chang and Marina Vivarelli},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmed.2026.1882638},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908529},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Kidney biopsy in the diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
AU - Kirk N Campbell
AU - Anthony Chang
AU - Marina Vivarelli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in medicine
DO - 10.3389/fmed.2026.1882638
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908529
AB - Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a kidney disease characterized by deposition of galactose-deficient IgA1-containing immune complexes in the glomerular mesangium. It is the most common primary glomerular disease worldwide, affecting approximately 2.5 persons per 100,000 population annually. A definitive IgAN diagnosis requires a kidney biopsy. However, non-specific clinical signs, limited disease awareness, and lack of validated biomarkers can delay nephrology referral from primary care providers, prolonging time to diagnosis and negatively impacting patient outcomes. In this perspective, we aim to raise awareness of the importance of timely kidney biopsy in IgAN. To do so, we first outline the key clinical features of IgAN and kidney biopsy indications that should prompt nephrology referral. Subsequently, we highlight the diagnostic and prognostic significance of kidney biopsy findings, examine barriers to kidney biopsy completion, and provide our outlook on the ways in which kidney biopsy may be useful for IgAN management in the future.
SN - 2296-858X
ER -