ACUTE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE INCIDENCE OF THE DISEASE 12

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Abstract
A review of the literature has demonstrated that the attack rate of acute glomerulonephritis following streptococcal infections varies from year to year. Epidemics of nephritis have been observed in family units and other population groups. The cause for the variations in the attack rates of acute nephritis following streptococcal infections appears to be due to varying nephrito-genic capacities of the infecting organism. In a group of 31 patients with acute nephritis observed during a 4-yr. period in various cities, type 12 streptococci were associated with 26 attacks. Streptococci of types 4 and 25 were related to 4 and 1 attacks of nephritis, respectively. Type 18 streptococci were isolated from 2 patients with nephritis observed during an outbreak of this disease in Hawaii. The data presented demonstrate that infection with type 12 and perhaps type 4 streptococci is especially likely to be followed by an attack of acute glomerulonephritis. Some evidence that strains of type 12 may vary in their nephritogenic capacity was obtained.