Prevalence of serum anti M-type phospholipase A(2) receptor antibody in primary membranous nephropathy: A single center experience

We conducted a prospective study to assess utility of detection of antibodies to phospholipase A(2)receptor (PLA(2)R) in the serum of patients with membranous nephropathy. Seventy five patients with biopsy proven membranous nephropathy admitted between January 2011 and September 2014 were studied. Serum anti- PLA(2)R was tested by indirect immunofluorescence. The test was positive in 45 out of 60 patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) and in none of the 15 patients with secondary membranous nephropathy, with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 100% for PMN. Anti PLA(2)R positivity also showed a significant correlation with quantum of proteinuria and negative correlation with serum albumin. This study has validated detection of serum anti PLA(2)R in PMN as a non invasive diagnostic tool in Indian patients.