ANTIBODIES TO TAMM-HORSFALL PROTEIN IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY (ESWL)

The aim of this study was to determine antibodies to Tamm-Horsfall pro tein in patients with nephrolithiasis treated with extracorporeal shoc k wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The values of antibodies to Tamm-Horsfall p rotein were determined dy direct enzyme immunoassay. No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for the IgG and IgM c lasses of antibodies between the groups of healthy subjects and patien ts with nephrolithiasis before, and 30 and 60 days after ESWL. The val ues of the IgA class determined 30 days after treatment were significa ntly higher (P<0.05) in patients, which could. be due to the stimulati on of the immune system. The highest values of antibodies to Tamm-Hors fall protein were obtained in both groups in the test with secondary a ntibodies directed toward IgM class, implicated at the presence of cro ss-reactive antibodies. Determination of antibodies to THP subunits is olated from urine of patients with nephrolithiasis should be performed . Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science B.V.