Work

The Diagnostic Value of Cellular Phenotyping and Pathological Casts Using Urine Flow Cytometry in Children with Lupus Nephritis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Dysmorphic RBC (DysRBC) as a marker of glomerular abnormalities is expected to have added value in screening for glomerular abnormalities along with other examinations, including renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and pathological casts (PathCasts) that indicate tubular abnormalities in lupus nephritis (LN). Therefore, this study intended to assess the diagnostic performance of urinary cell and cast characteristics, including DysRBC, RTECs, and PathCast, as measured by the urine flow cytometry in lupus nephritic children. Methods: Urine samples from 317 patients (50.47% female and 49.53% male) were collected. The diagnostic value was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The ROC analysis demonstrated that all parameters exhibited acceptable discriminatory performance, including %DysRBC (AUC = 0.954, p < 0.001), RTEC (AUC = 0.580, p = 0.001), and PathCast (AUC = 0.664, p = 0.001). Conclusions: DysRBC, RTECs, and PathCast may have added value in the diagnosis of LN in children, notably with excellent diagnostic value in distinguishing LN in %DysRBC. This promising result warrants evaluation with a large-scale site study.

Source: Diseases

DOI: 10.3390/diseases14020053

Authors: Ferdy Royland Marpaung, Risky Vitria Prasetyo, Anggia Augustasia Lumban Toruan, Djoko Santoso, Aryati Aryati

Institution: Universitas Airlangga

Language: English

Topic: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172