Nephritis is inflammation of the kidney. The word comes from the Greek nephro- meaning "of the kidney" and -itis meaning "inflammation". Nephritis is often caused by infections, toxins, and auto-immune diseases.

Subtypes

• glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli. (Often when the term "nephritis" is used without qualification, this is the condition meant.)
• interstitial nephritis or tubulo-interstitial nephritis is inflammation is of the spaces between renal tubules.
• pyelonephritis is when a urinary tract infection has reached the pyelum (pelvis) of the kidney.
• Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system.

Veterinary

Baby animals fed on powdered milk which is too rich may have intestinal troubles leading to nephritis, and possibly death.

See also

• Bright's Disease
• Wegener's granulomatosis