Study of the correlation between glomerular and urinary sediment deposits using immunofluorescent technique.

Correlations between immunofluorescent protein deposits in the glomeruli, urinary sediment and proteinuria selectivity pattern have been attempted in different glomerulonephritis. The overall study showed following results: a) Glomerular and urinary casts deposits of immunoglobulins, C3 and fibrin/fibrinogen are related to moderately selective proteinuria; b) IgG and IgA are most often found in urinary sediment and c) Glomerular deposits of IgG and IgA are well correlated with the presence of these immunoglobulins in urinary casts. Analysis according to different histological types of nephritis: a) In "minimal changes" nephropathy, deposits are infrequent and well correlated with urinary sediment, when they are present; b) In lupus nephritis, constant and intense glomerular deposits of immunoglobulins, fibrin/fibrinogen are correlated with the same proteins found in urinary casts; c) Inconstant correlations are found in membranous nephritis and in IgA-IgG nephropathy.

[Demonstration of Australia antigen in a rheumatologic population].

The authors looked for Australia antigen in a population of 578 rheumatic patients, 300 of whom were polyarthritic, by electrosyneresis and complement fixation methods. Australia antigen was found in 26 patients, and anti-Australia antibodies in 33 patients. Most of these patients were suffering from rheumatoid polyarthritis--22 presented hepatic disturbance, and 28 had undergone surgical operations, blood transfusions, and repeated hospitalization.