Quantitative analysis of glomeruli lesions in patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis

By using computer imaging analysis system combined with light microscopy, the glomeruli lesions on biopsy specimens sections were quantitatively analysed. The pathological changes of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) in children were quantitatively evaluated and the correlation between the mesangial matrix area (MA) and some clinical data were also analysed. The results indicated that the levels of various glomerular parameters in MsPGN group were higher than those of normal controls. No correlation was found between MA and 24 h urinary protein excretion, but a negative correlation was revealed between MA and estimated GFR. MA was also correlated with the duration of MsPGN recovery. It was suggested that the quantitative analysis of glomerular parameters by computer is a reproducible methods. The parameter of MA may be used for evaluation of the renal function, determination of the duration of therapy and evaluation of prognosis of MsPGN in children.