Computer morphometry of lymphocytes in the diagnosis of chronic transplant nephropathy

AIM: to assess the role of immunological mechanisms in the development and progression of chronic transplant nephropathy (CTN) and the prognostic value of rapid computer morphometry of lymphocytes in predicting the risk of renal allograft rejection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven renal graft recipients (29 males and 8 females; mean age 35.9 +/- 2.2 years; mean time after renal allografting 19.9 +/- 2.7 months). Twenty-three patients had satisfactory renal graft function; 14 patients were diagnosed as having CTN. A control group included 30 apparently healthy individuals. Along with physical examination, vital computer phase morphometry (CPM) of peripheral blood immunocompetent cells was carried out in all the patients. RESULTS: Small and average cells were predominant in the T and B lymphocyte populations. In CTN, there were increases in diameter, perimeter, and area and decreases in the phase height and volume of B lymphocytes, which is indicative of their activation. There was a predominance of average B lymphocytes in CTN. CONCLUSION: Vital CPM of peripheral blood immunocompetent cells may be used for the early diagnosis and prediction of CTN development.