All issues > Volume 34(3); 1991

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1991;34(3):317-322. Published online March 31, 1991.

Changes of immune indices in children with recurrent gross hematuria (IgA nephropathy and non-IgA nephropathy) and Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis.

Seong Mi Kim¹, Myung Chul Hyun¹, Cheol Woo Ko¹, Ja Hoon Koo¹, Doo Hong Ahn¹, Jung Sik Kwack²

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Korea
²Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Korea

Received: January 23, 1991;  Accepted: February 20, 1991.

Abstract

A Prospective study was conducted to see the changes of immune system in recurrent gross hematuria (IgA nephropathy and non-IgA nephropathy) and HSP nephritis in children. Study patients consisted of 60 children with recurrent gross hematuria and Henoch-schdnlein purpura nephritis (8 IgA nephropathy, 24 non-IgA nephropathy and 28 HSP nephritis). The cellular immune indices (total T, T4, T8 cells and T4/T8 ratio) and humoral immune indices (IgG, A, M and E) were measured during the hematuric and non-hematuric period. Following results were obtained. The proportion of T4 cells of peripheral blood during the hematuric period of patients with IgA nephropathy rose to 35.4±14.9% from the non-hematuric value of 20.0士9.1%. The T4/T8 ratio during hematuric period of patients with IgA nephropathy rose to 1.51±0.77 from non-hematuric valus of 0.73±0.33. The values of serum IgA and IgE during hematuric period of patients with IgA nephropathy rose to 237 ±106 mg/dl, 231 ±226 IU/dl from non-hematuric values of 140 ±10, 28±23, respectively. These changes of cellular and humoral immune indices showed statistically significant differences(p < 0.05). However, these changes were not found in patients with non-IgA nephropathy nor HSP nephritis. In conclusion, it can be said that the immune mechanism involved in IgA nephropathy is different from that of HSP nephritis.

Keywords :IgA nephropathy;Henoch-schonlein purpura nephritis;Immune index