Glomerular Diseases USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 24-year-old woman with no significant past medical history presents to clinic with 3 weeks of progressive lower extremity edema and foamy urine. She denies recent infections, weight loss, or joint pain. Vital signs are stable (BP 118/76 mmHg, HR 88). Laboratory studies show: 24-hour urine protein 5.8 g, serum albumin 2.1 g/dL, serum creatinine 0.9 mg/dL, BUN 16 mg/dL, lipid panel shows hyperlipidemia, and serum complement levels (C3, C4) are normal. Antinuclear antibody and ANCA serologies are negative. Kidney biopsy findings include: normal glomerular architecture on light microscopy, negative immunofluorescence microscopy, but electron microscopy demonstrates diffuse, complete effacement of podocyte foot processes. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer choices
- AFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis with podocytopathy
- BMinimal change diseaseCorrect answer
- CMembranous nephropathy
- DC3 glomerulonephritis
- EIgA nephropathy with nephrotic presentation
- FPostinfectious glomerulonephritis
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