[Significance of immunohistological findings for the diagnosis of kidney diseases]

Immunopathology of the glomerular changes in chronic pyelonephritis

To investigate the presence of intraglomerular immunoprotein deposition in chronic pyelonephritis (CPN), 29 renal specimens from patients with various urological diseases were examined by immunofluorescence. The relationship between immunohistological findings and types of glomerular changes which were classified according to Heptinstall's criteria was studied. Only type 2 glomeruli, which were considered to be ischemic changes, demonstrated granular and globular depositions of IgM and C3 in the collapsed and solidified shrunken tufts. IgM was positive in 117 of 258 (45.3%), and C3 in 122 of 264 (46.2%) type 2 glomeruli. The distribution patterns of IgM and C3 were much the same. IgG and IgA were rarely observed and neither fibrinogen nor albumin was observed in the tufts of type 2 glomeruli. Normal glomeruli and other types of glomerular changes in CPN showed few or no intraglomerular immunoprotein deposition.

Symptoms and immunology of the Henoch-Schönlein-syndrome

The Henoch-Schönlein-syndrome, or anaphylactoid purpura, is usually a childhood disease. The progess of this syndrome in adults was observed in 4 cases at our clinic. An elevated IgA level in the serum with a normal complement value seems to be of immunological interest. By immunohistological methods fibrin and IgA could be demonstrated in skin and kidney biopsies; in glomerulae C3c was observed, occasionally accompanied by Properdin-factor-B. These findings differentiate this disease from other allergic superficial vasculitids by the detection of IgG and complement; while at the same time some similarities are indicated to the so called "Berger Nephritis" with comparable kidney findings.