RENAL GRAFT REJECTION OR URINARY TRACT INFECTION?: The Value of Myeloperoxidase, C-Reactive Protein, and α2-Macroglobulin in the Urine

Abstract

Previous investigations have shown that the determination of two acute-phase proteins in the urine, C-reactive protein (CRPu) and α2-macroglobulin (α2-MGu), allows a noninvasive diagnosis of acute renal graft dysfunction. A reliable differentiation between rejection and urinary tract infection can be made only when considering the C-reactive protein in serum and urine at the same time (CRPs:CRPu ratio). Therefore, a diagnostic procedure independent of parameters other than urinary proteins is needed. As granulocytes play only a minor role in graft rejection but are a common feature in urinary tract infection, we determined a marker of granulocytes (myeloperoxidase) in urine (MPOu).

Eighty-nine renal transplant recipients were included in the study. In normal courses, CRPu, α2-MGu, and MPOu were within the normal range. In 15 cases of acute interstitial rejection, an increased excretion of CRPu and α2-MGu could be confirmed, but MPOu could not be detected. On the occasion of acute vascular rejection (n=6), with the exception of one case, MPOu could not be observed. The pattern of the three urinary proteins differed in urinary tract infections (n=40): MPOu could be detected in all cases, CRPu in 50% of cases, and α2-MGu in 73% of cases. In patients with cytomegalovirus infection (n=7), no MPOu, CRPu, or α2-MGu was found.

In conclusion, the simultaneous measurement of the three proteins allows a complete, noninvasive, differential diagnostic procedure of renal graft dysfunction.