Laboratory Tests and Examinations for Lupus Nephritis

Lupus Nephritis is known as an autoimmune disorder. The immune system regards healthy body tissues as foreign and produces antibodies to target at its own healthy tissues. The following introduces complete set of laboratory tests and examinations performed for clear and exact diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis.

Part 1, antibody tests in Lupus Nephritis.

Antibodies are what the immune system produce to damage multiple body systems. Testing for the antibodies has the following clinical significances:

﹡Diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis;

﹡Kidney damage extent caused by Lupus

﹡Provide information for suitable medications

Antibody tests mainly cover the follows:

1. Anti DNA test

It is one of the important antibodies associated to the occurrence of Lupus Nephritis. Positive anti-DNA result is one of the diagnosis indicator for Lupus Nephritis.

2. Anti-Sm antibofy

Elevation of anti-Sm in blood is characteristic in Lupus Nephritis.

3. Anti-RNP antibody

Positive result of anti-RNP is seen 30 to 50 percent cases of Lupus.

4. Anti SS-A antibody

Positive result in SS-A antibody is found in 20-60 clinical cases.

5. Anti SSB antibody

Positive rate of SSB is 10-20 percent in Lupus Nephritis.

6. Anti RNP antibody

It can be an indicator for combined coronary disorders in the patients since it is estimated approximately 56-90 percent patients have abnormally elevated anti RNP antibodies.

7. Anti-histone antibody

Positive rate in Lupus Nephritis reaches up to 95 percent.

9. PCNA antibody

PCNA is related to occurrence and progression of Lupus Nephritis.

Part 2, complement tests

This mainly includes C3, C4, CH50, C1q, B factor, etc. The tests are performed to make sure if lupus becomes active and the extent to which complements are activated.

Part 3,blood tests:

This mainly includes 24h urine protein, microalbuminuria, urine IgG, urine NAG, urine GGT, urine IgG, etc. The tests are performed to confirm which part of the kidneys is dam aged—renal tubules, glomerulus or renal interstitial and how much the kidneys are damaged.

Part 4. Lymphocyte subset examinations

Lymphocyte subset tests are performed for evaluating immune status in the patients. For treating such autoimmune diseases as Lupus Nephritis, immune condition detection is essential before and after immunosuppressive medicine treatment is taken.

1. T lymphocyte testing.

T lymphocytes play vital roles in eliminating cellular antigens and activating cellular or focal inflammations. The test will help to evaluate how much the T lymphocytes are activated.

2. Circulatory immune complex detection

Circulatory immune complexes deposit on specific healthy body tissues to activate inflammations and reduce normal physiological functions. Moreover, circulatory immune complexes can result in complex immune injuries to blood vessels, glomerulis, joints, etc.

3. Treg cell examinations

Amount reduction and function impairment of Treg cells can reduce immune regulation functions; and meanwhile, it is also closely linked to the occurrence and activity of Systemic Lupus Nephritis (SLE).