The filtering structures of the kidneys are called the glomeruli. Injury to these can cause protein and blood cells to leak into the urine and can impair kidney function.
Primary glomerulonephritis stems from damage to the glomeruli.
Most often this is the result of inflammation of the tissue. The injury can be mild with few symptoms. It can also be severe and life threatening. There are three structures within the glomeruli that can be affected. This is a high level of waste products, such as a substance called urea that is normally filtered into the urine, from the blood.