Among the three categories of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis classified by immunofluorescence pattern, the most common category overall is:

• A Type I: anti-GBM antibody mediated with linear IgG
• B Type II: immune complex mediated with granular deposits
• C All three categories occur with equal frequency
• D Type III: pauci-immune, ANCA associated with few or no deposits ✓

Explanation

Pauci-immune (type III) RPGN, associated with MPO-ANCA or PR3-ANCA and often part of granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, accounts for the majority of RPGN cases, particularly in older adults. Anti-GBM disease (type I) is uncommon, and immune complex RPGN (type II) complicates known glomerular or systemic diseases such as lupus and IgA nephropathy. The absence of significant immunoglobulin deposition on immunofluorescence defines the pauci-immune pattern.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.