Diagnosis of<unk>  is made by renal biopsy that includes at least 15 serial cuts with at least 8 glomeruli. Histologic features include sclerosis (scarring) of a portion (average: 15%) of the glomerular space, with only a portion of glomeruli manifesting any sclerosis. Other tests helpful in the diagnosis include urine protein, urinalysis, serum albumin, and serum lipids. A clinical picture of proteinuria, low blood protein levels (albumin, antibodies), and high blood cholesterol would support a diagnosis of<unk> , although these do not help to distinguish between<unk>  and other causes of proteinuria. Classification Micrograph of the collapsing variant of<unk>  (collapsing glomerulopathy). A collapsed glomerulus is seen at the top, right-of-centre. PAS stain. Kidney biopsy. Five mutually exclusive variants of<unk>  may be distinguished by the pathologic findings seen on renal biopsy: # Collapsing variant # Glomerular tip lesion variant # Cellular variant # Perihilar variant # Not otherwise specified (NOS) variant. Recognition of these variants may have prognostic value in individuals with primary<unk> . The collapsing variant is associated with higher rate of progression to end-stage renal disease, whereas the glomerular tip lesion variant has a low rate of progression to end-stage renal disease in most patients. The cellular variant shows similar clinical presentation to collapsing and glomerular tip variant but has intermediate outcomes between the other two variants.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Membranous glomerulonephritis
Minimal mesangial glomerulonephritis
Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis
Focal proliferative nephritis
IgA nephropathy
Mesoamerican nephropathy
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis