In post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which lab pattern is typical?

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Multiple Choice

In post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which lab pattern is typical?

Explanation:
In post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, immune complexes trigger complement activation and consume C3, but C4 tends to stay normal. This gives a pattern of a low C3 with a normal C4. The fall in C3 is typically seen during the acute phase and normalizes within several weeks as the illness resolves. This pattern helps distinguish PSGN from other glomerulonephritides; for example, conditions like lupus nephritis often show both C3 and C4 reduced, while a normal C3 makes PSGN less likely.

In post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, immune complexes trigger complement activation and consume C3, but C4 tends to stay normal. This gives a pattern of a low C3 with a normal C4. The fall in C3 is typically seen during the acute phase and normalizes within several weeks as the illness resolves. This pattern helps distinguish PSGN from other glomerulonephritides; for example, conditions like lupus nephritis often show both C3 and C4 reduced, while a normal C3 makes PSGN less likely.

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