Value of beta 1C/1A globulin serum levels as an early index of glomerular involvement in Schistosoma mansoni infection

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1980 Sep;29(5):882-5. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1980.29.882.

Abstract

In attempting the early detection of glomerular abnormalities in patients with the hepatosplenic form of Schistosoma mansoni infection, the serum concentration of beta 1C/1A globulin was determined in 17 patients without clinical evidence of nephropathy. Renal biopsies were obtained during splenectomy in all of them. The serum levels of beta 1C/1A globulin were below the normal limit in eight patients; of these, two had histological evidence of focal proliferative glomerulonephritis, two others had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and one showed focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis. Of nine patients with normal serum levels of beta 1C/1A globulin, eight had no glomerular abnormalities demonstrated by light microscopy. Determination of the serum concentration of beta 1C/1A globulin proved to be a valuable index for the detection of early glomerulopathy in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, since a low level correlated well with the histologic demonstration of glomerular involvement by light microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Beta-Globulins / analysis*
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology
  • Schistosomiasis / immunology*

Substances

  • Beta-Globulins
  • beta 1C-1A globulin