Chronic glomerulonephritis represents the end-stage of all glomerulonephritis with

unfavorable evolution. This general (glomerular, vascular and interstitial) affection

constitutes the so-called "end stage kidney". In most cases, it is associated with
systemic hypertension.

Chronic glomerulonephritis. The majority of the glomeruli are affected. Depending

on the stage of the disease, they may present different degrees of hyalinization
(hyalinosclerosis - total replacement of glomeruli and Bowmann's space with
hyaline). The hyaline is an amorphous material, pink, homogenous, resulted from
combination of plasma proteins, increased mesangial matrix and collagen. Totally
hyalinised glomeruli are atrophic (smaller), lacking capillaries, hence these
glomeruli are non-functional. Few glomeruli may still present changes which permit
to discern the etiology of chronic glomerulonephritis. Obstruction of blood flow will
produce secondary tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and thickening of the arterial
wall by hyaline deposits. In the interstitium is present an abundant inflammatory
infiltrate (mostly with lymphocytes). (Hematoxylin-eosine, ob. x20)

Chronic glomerulonephritis. Functional nephrons have dilated tubules, often with

hyaline casts in the lumens. (Hematoxylin-eosine, ob. x20)