Prof. Dr Joris Delanghe

Joris Delanghe

Prof. Dr 
Ghent University, 
Belgium

Vita

More information coming soon

Lecture

Part 1: Renal tubular epithelial cells: a new diagnostic tool

Diagnosis of upper urinary tract infections (UTI) is challenging, even in 2020. We evaluated the analytical and diagnostic performance characteristics of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and transitional epithelial cells (TECs) on the Sysmex UF-5000 urine sediment analyser. In our study we have demonstrated for the first time that RTECs can be regarded as an interesting supplemental parameter in the discrimination between upper UTI and lower UTI. The UF-5000 urine sediment analyser is able to count the RTECs and TECs with an acceptable analytical performance which leads to a fast discrimination between upper and lower UTIs. Due to the improved categorisation of urinary particles of the UF-5000, the discriminatory power of this new-generation urinary flow cytometer with respect to localisation of UTI has much improved. The results of our findings will be presented and discussed in detail.

Part 2: Sensitive (micro)albuminuria detection based on standard test strips

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health problem. International guidelines recommend estimating glomerular filtration rate and quantifying albuminuria to detect early kidney damage. Populations at increased risk for CKD (diabetes or a family history of CKD or hypertension) should be screened for albuminuria, at least annually. We have used reflectance data using the Sysmex strip reader UC-3500 in order to fully explore the possibilities of the readings for quantitative strip analysis we used Meditape UC-11A strips. The reflectance value is inversely related to the concentration. The albumin test is based on the protein error of tetra-bromophenol blue which is sensitive to albumin. In this study, we have shown the possible quantitative determination of albuminuria, which in the micro-albuminuria range (20–200 mg/l) and even in the physiological range opens interesting applications for affordable CKD screening. The excellent performance of the albumin assay is striking in the microalbuminuria range. For the UC-3500 reader, LOD values of 5 mg/l for albumin were found.