Urinary MCP-1/creatinine in Henoch-Schönlein purpura and its relationship with nephritis.

Background: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a direct role in the infiltration of macrophages and monocytes during the early stages of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) nephritis. The aim of this study was to compare the urinary MCP-1/creatinine levels in children with and without HSP nephritis and determine if they are associated with the severity of renal lesions.

Methods: We included 77 patients with HSP and 25 healthy control children.