Berger's Disease is a kidney disorder. Its clinical name is IgA Nephropathy
(IgA referring to the antibodies; Nephropathy for kidneys). This disease is much
more common in males than females and frequently affects children. IgAN is an
autoimmune disease defined by the deposits of IgA immune complexes in the kidney
mesangial tissue. In 2012, the newest therapy for Berger's Disease is known as
Immunotherapy.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
Berger's Disease is a form of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Due
to immune dysfunction, IgA antibodies combine with antigens that invade into the
body, forming circulating immune complexes that deposit in the glomerular
mesangium. Inflammatory response occurs in order to eliminate these foreign
depositions. The disease can occur as acute, rapidly progressive, or chronic
glomerulonephritis.
Usually, it is discovered after one or more episodes of bloody or dark urine
in an individual with no other symptom of kidney disorder. Blood urine may
appear during or soon after an infection of the respiratory tract.
Risk factors: a personal or family history of Berger's Disease or Henoch
Schonlein Purpura. It can occur in persons of all ages, but the most often
affects males in their teens to late 30s.
Newest therapy for Berger's Disease - Immunotherapy
There is growing evidence in clinical practise that Immunotherapy can be
effective in reversing the this disease. This therapy also shows the promise for
curing the illness.
As a systemic treatment for Berger's Disease, Immunotherapy can treat
Berger's Disease effectively through regulating the immune system. Based on
specific condition, several treatments as below may be adopted:
▪ New immunosuppressive agents - inhibit the abnormal inflammatory
response;
▪ Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy - block further kidney damage and clear
away the IgA immune complexes deposits in glomerular mesangium;
▪ Immunotherapy - restore the renal functions and rebuild the immune
system;
▪ Immune clearance - clear up harmful substances in the blood with
immunoadsorption, plasma exchange, blood purification, etc.