URINE PROTEINS

Determinations of total protein level in urine and CSF are used to diagnose and monitor clinical conditions associated with abnormal proteins concentrations. Increased total protein level in urine can be observed in majority of renal diseases (e.g. nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, nephrosclerosis) as well as in systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and lupus erythematosus which frequently cause glomerular injury and heavy proteinuria. Malaria, drugs (penicillamine), malignant hypertension, amyloidosis, toxemia of pregnancy, heavy metals (gold, mercury), sickle cell disease, neoplasia in general, renal transplant rejection are additional causes of heavy proteinuria. Increased total protein level in cerebrospinal fluid can be observed in increased blood–CSF permeability caused by meningitis, endocrine/metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetic neuropathy), CSF circulation defects (e.g. mechanical obstruction - tumor, abscess, herniated disk), increased immunoglobulin IgG synthesis (e.g. multiple sclerosis), neurosyphilis.