Q J Med 1971; 40: 385-390
© 1971 Association of Physicians
research-article |
Immunohistology in Renal Disease
DIAGNOSTIC, PROGNOSTIC, THERAPEUTIC, AND ETIOLOGIC VALUE AND LIMITATIONS
From the Gwynne Hazen Cherry Memorial Laboratories Department of Pediatrics, and the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California Medical Center Los Angeles, California 1Assistant Professor of Pediatrics 2Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics 3USPHS Trainee, Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics 4Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine 5Associate Professor of Medicine 6Associate Professor of Pediatrics
7Present address, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Received 26 December 1970 Immunohistological localization of IgG and ß1 was performed on 438 renal biopsy specimens from 340 patients. We found this technique to be of special value in early cases of S.L.E. where it may suggest a rapid development of some kidney disease when urinary abnormalities are still minimal; and in renal transplants where it may indicate chronic rejection rather than recurrent glomerulonephritis when bight microscopy shows changes compatible with either. It is also useful in the diagnosis of membranous nephropathy; the nephrotic syndrome where morphological classification of minimal change and focal or segmental lesions are in doubt; in patients with asymptomatic hematuria, proteinuria or both; diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, malignant hypertension; and in the prognosis of acute post-streptococcal nephritis. We have also reported results of attempts at antigen localization, and suggested that this may add a new tool to the therapy of glomerular disease.