Final answer:
Acute glomerulonephritis is typically caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes following throat or skin infections, leading to an immune response that damages the kidney's glomeruli.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organism that typically causes acute glomerulonephritis is Streptococcus pyogenes. This is particularly the case following streptococcal pharyngitis and skin infections. Streptococcus pyogenes leads to immune complex formation involving its own antigens and the antibodies produced by the human body. These immune complexes can lodge in the glomeruli of the kidneys, triggering an inflammatory response that causes damage and inflammation, referred to as glomerulonephritis. This condition can manifest as both acute and chronic forms, and it is distinguished by symptoms such as hematuria, proteinuria, increased blood pressure, and edema.