Monoclonal antibodies: use in urine sediment examination

Accurate identification of nucleated cells in urine can be difficult with conventional methods of microscopic urinalysis. Monoclonal antibodies were used with an immunoperoxidase technique to identify nucleated cells in urine. This new development in urinalysis is in its early stages, but it has helped to circumvent the difficulties associated with standard microscopy. The monoclonal antibody technique allowed for the identification of granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, glomerular epithelial, proximal tubular, loop of Henle, distal tubule/collecting duct, and urothelial cells in urine, and by quantifying these cells it was possible to determine the urine cell profiles in various renal diseases as well as in allograft rejection and early post-transplant acute tubular necrosis in renal allograft recipients. The cell profiles are useful in aiding the diagnosis of these conditions.