Clinical significance of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies in idiopathic membranous nephropathy

ObjectiveTo investigate the level of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody (anti-PLA2R Ab) in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) and evaluate the diagnosis of IMN using anti-PLA2R Ab. MethodsA total of 62 patients who received renal biopsy and was diagnosed as primary nephrotic syndrome from January 2016 to June 2017 in our department were enrolled. They were divided into an IMN group (n=30) and a non-IMN group (n=32). The levels of serum anti-PLA2R Ab were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Related clinical data were collected for statistical analysis. ResultsThe positive anti-PLA2R Ab rate was 83.33% (25/30) in the IMN group, and 9.38% (3/32) in the non-IMN group. The level of serum anti-PLA2R Ab was positively correlated with 24 hour urine protein, but negatively correlated with serum albumin levels. ConclusionSerum anti-PLA2R Ab level can be adopted for diagnosis and evaluation of IMN.