Lupus nephropathy and vasculitis

Multisystem autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and vasculitis, are inflammatory conditions of unknown cause. Renal involvement can occur in a variety of forms and usually represents a severe disease manifestation. SLE is complicated by renal involvement (lupus nephritis) in over one-third of patients. Small vessel vasculitides, including antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated and antiglomerular basement membrane disease, also frequently affect the kidneys, causing a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.