DYSMORPHIC URINE ERYTHROCYTES IN DIFFEREN T FORMS OF GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

The excretion of dysmorphic erythrocytes in the urine was compared wit h the histological findings and the degree of proteinuria in 101 patie nts with histologically proven glomerulonephritis. The mean excretion rate of dysmorphic cells amounted to 68.3 +/- 24.0% (5 to 100%); the p ortion of acanthocytes was seen to 16.7 +/- 16.3%. Despite of dysmorph ic erythrocytes in urine no acanthocytes could be found in 12 patients . Significant differences in the rate of dysmorphic cells in different forms of glomerulonephritis were not evident. Dysmorphic erythrocytes were mainly seen in patients with membraneous and mesangioproliferati ve glomerulonephritis, the lowest excretion appeared in minimal change nephropathy. In cases with glomerular proteinuria acanthocytes were f ound 30.7 +/- 24.6%; in contrast to mixed proteinuria only 16.3 +/- 15 .3% of such cells were seen (p < 0.05). There was no relation detectab le between the rate of dysmorphic erythrocytes, total protein excretio n, IBG, IgA, alpha-1-microglobulin, and beta-2-microglobulin concentra tion in the urine. The microscopic assessment of the erythrocytes is i ngenious to detect the cause of hematuria. A renal biopsy can not be s ubstituted by this method.