title: Urinary excretion of albumin and beta 2-microglobulin in a population from an area where Balkan nephropathy is endemic.
abstract: The urinary excretion of albumin and beta 2-microglobulin in a population of 294 persons, living in an area where Balkan nephropathy is endemic, has been studied. In fifty-six (about 19%) of the subjects the beta 2-microglobulin concentration was above the +2 SD level for a reference group of healthy individuals from non-endemic areas. Albumin elevation was found in forty-four (about 15%) of the cases. In twenty-one of the subjects the urinary concentration of both beta 2-microglobulin and albumin were increased, in sixteen of these cases the relationship between the two proteins was consistent with tubular proteinuria. An increased beta 2-microglobulin excretion is considered to be a sign of Balkan nephropathy. Radioimmunoassay of the protein is sensitive enough to detect tubular proteinuria at an early stage and is suggested as a suitable screening test for the disease.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000652:urine*; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012383:Romania; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin