What characterizes Goodpasture's disease?

Goodpasture's disease is primarily characterized by the presence of antibodies directed against the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). This condition is an autoimmune disorder where the body mistakenly generates antibodies that attack the GBM in the kidneys and lungs. The result of this immune response can lead to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage, which are hallmark features of the disease.

The antibodies specifically target type IV collagen, a crucial component of the GBM, leading to inflammation and damage to both kidney and lung tissues. This is distinctly different from the other options presented, which involve mechanisms unrelated to the autoimmune attack on the glomerular basement membrane.

While blood type incompatibility, viral infections resulting in nephritis, and familial genetic mutations can lead to different kidney diseases, they do not pertain to the specific pathology of Goodpasture's disease. Hence, the correct characterization of this condition is the presence of antibodies to the glomerular basement membrane.