[Macrophage infiltration in IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis--2. Study in re-biopsied patients]

The intraglomerular and interstitial infiltrating macrophage population was studied in patients with IgA nephropathy (19 cases) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) (7 cases) who had undergone re-biopsy. Macrophages were stained by monoclonal antibody (CD68) using the ABC method. In HSPN, intraglomerular and interstitial infiltrating macrophages were significantly decreased in the second biopsy (0.57 +/- 0.56/gcs, 4.31 +/- 2.42/mm2) compared with the first (2.54 +/- 1.39/gcs, 18.37 +/- 11.96/mm2). In IgA nephropathy, fewer macrophages were noted at the second biopsy (0.78 +/- 0.44/gcs, 4.52 +/- 5.07/mm2) compared with the first (1.79 +/- 1.17/gcs, 5.98 +/- 4.88/mm2), and a statistical significance was found in intraglomerular macrophages, but not in the interstitium. Infiltrating macrophages were rapidly decreased in patients with improved clinicopathological findings at the second biopsy. Infiltrating macrophages tended to decline with the lapse of time from the discovery of the disease, without any relation to treatment.