MODERN PROBLEMS OF АLPORT SYNDROME DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Introduction. In the practice of adult nephrologists there are cases of rare genetically caused kidney damage, in particular, Alport syndrome. This is due to the availability and improvement of instrumental diagnostic methods, timely approaches to treatment in pediatric practice, and prolongation of the pre-dialysis period. 
 Goal. Analysis and synthesis of new data from domestic and foreign sources on the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, types of inheritance, differential diagnosis of Alport syndrome in order to improve the success of students, interns and teachers in the study of nephrological subjects. 
 Material and methods. Review of contemporary and foreign literary sources; techniques – description, analysis, abstracting. 
 Results. Alport syndrome (AS, synonym: hereditary nephritis) is non-immune genetically determined glomerulopathy caused by a mutation of genes that encode collagen type IV of basement membranes, manifested by hematuria and / or proteinuria, a progressive decreased renal function, combined with pathology of hearing and abnormalities affecting the eyes. Alport syndrome inherited type: X-linked dominant (XLAS): 85%, autosomal recessive (ARAS): 15%, autosomal dominant (ADAS): 1%. 
 Conclusions. Family history, electron microscopy, immunochemical analysis of type IV collagen expression are informative for verifying the diagnosis of Alport syndrome. Due to the rarity of this disease, in addition, the fact that patients often refuse kidney biopsy, it is necessary to cooperate more closely with genetic laboratories, to take measures to improve the availability of molecular analysis of mutations of collagen IV genes. In addition, it is a fact that sometimes the family history of the disease is ambiguous, unavailable for genetic analysis, and patients refuse to have a kidney biopsy. It is a motive to encourage doctors to improve their educational work with patients about safety of this analysis and its value.