Urinary KIM-1 Concentration Interpreted in Detecting AKI
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 25 Mar 2019 |

Image: The Urisys 2400 urine analyzer (Photo courtesy of Roche Diagnostics).
Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) has been identified as a biomarker for the assessment of nephropathy in various chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Extensive KIM-1 expression occurs in proximal tubule cells in patients with confirmed acute tubular necrosis.
Urinary KIM-1 concentrations were also significantly correlated with the expression of tissue KIM-1 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Such findings increase the potential use of urinary KIM-1 in the diagnosis or prognosis of CKD, but also results in the difficulties in the interpretation of urinary KIM-1 when it is used in the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI).
Scientists collaborating with those at Queen’s University (Kingston, ON, Canada) obtained 188 urine samples were obtained from adults with normal kidney filtration. Of which 83 of the 188 showed negative urine protein, erythrocytes and leucocytes were used as normal controls. The remaining 105 samples showed at least one abnormal result suggesting possible pre-existing nephropathy.
Routine urine analysis was performed on an Urysis 2400 analyzer of the hospital core laboratory, using a multi-parameter test cassette that measures pH, protein (albumin), glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrite, erythrocyte, leukocyte esterase, and specific gravity. The urinary KIM-1 concentrations were measured in duplicate for each sample using the Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The limit of detection was 0.009μg/L.
The investigators reported that the results showed significantly increased urinary KIM-1 concentration in protein positive (protein +, erythrocyte +/-, leucocyte+/-) samples compared to controls that were negative for protein, erythrocytes, and leucocytes. Urinary KIM-1 concentrations were significantly higher when proteinuria was at trace concentration (0.25g/L) and correlated with the severity of proteinuria. The creatinine normalized urinary KIM-1 was significantly higher when urine protein was 0.75g/L to 5g/L. The reference interval for urinary KIM-1 was 0 to 4.19 μg/L, and for creatinine normalized urinary KIM-1 0 to 0.58 μg/mmol.
The authors concluded that baseline urinary KIM-1 concentrations were increased when there was detectable urine protein and correlated with its severity. The urinary KIM-1 concentrations should be interpreted with consideration of urine protein levels in individual patients. The study was published on March 7, 2019, in the journal Practical Laboratory Medicine.
Related Links:
Queen’s University
Urinary KIM-1 concentrations were also significantly correlated with the expression of tissue KIM-1 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Such findings increase the potential use of urinary KIM-1 in the diagnosis or prognosis of CKD, but also results in the difficulties in the interpretation of urinary KIM-1 when it is used in the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI).
Scientists collaborating with those at Queen’s University (Kingston, ON, Canada) obtained 188 urine samples were obtained from adults with normal kidney filtration. Of which 83 of the 188 showed negative urine protein, erythrocytes and leucocytes were used as normal controls. The remaining 105 samples showed at least one abnormal result suggesting possible pre-existing nephropathy.
Routine urine analysis was performed on an Urysis 2400 analyzer of the hospital core laboratory, using a multi-parameter test cassette that measures pH, protein (albumin), glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrite, erythrocyte, leukocyte esterase, and specific gravity. The urinary KIM-1 concentrations were measured in duplicate for each sample using the Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The limit of detection was 0.009μg/L.
The investigators reported that the results showed significantly increased urinary KIM-1 concentration in protein positive (protein +, erythrocyte +/-, leucocyte+/-) samples compared to controls that were negative for protein, erythrocytes, and leucocytes. Urinary KIM-1 concentrations were significantly higher when proteinuria was at trace concentration (0.25g/L) and correlated with the severity of proteinuria. The creatinine normalized urinary KIM-1 was significantly higher when urine protein was 0.75g/L to 5g/L. The reference interval for urinary KIM-1 was 0 to 4.19 μg/L, and for creatinine normalized urinary KIM-1 0 to 0.58 μg/mmol.
The authors concluded that baseline urinary KIM-1 concentrations were increased when there was detectable urine protein and correlated with its severity. The urinary KIM-1 concentrations should be interpreted with consideration of urine protein levels in individual patients. The study was published on March 7, 2019, in the journal Practical Laboratory Medicine.
Related Links:
Queen’s University
Latest Immunology News
- Microfluidic Chip Detects Cancer Recurrence from Immune Response Signals
- Cancer Mutation ‘Fingerprints’ to Improve Prediction of Immunotherapy Response
- Immune Signature Identified in Treatment-Resistant Myasthenia Gravis
- New Biomarker Predicts Chemotherapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug
- Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
- Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
- Blood Test Could Identify Colon Cancer Patients to Benefit from NSAIDs
- Blood Test Could Detect Adverse Immunotherapy Effects
- Routine Blood Test Can Predict Who Benefits Most from CAR T-Cell Therapy
- New Test Distinguishes Vaccine-Induced False Positives from Active HIV Infection
- Gene Signature Test Predicts Response to Key Breast Cancer Treatment
- Chip Captures Cancer Cells from Blood to Help Select Right Breast Cancer Treatment
- Blood-Based Liquid Biopsy Model Analyzes Immunotherapy Effectiveness
- Signature Genes Predict T-Cell Expansion in Cancer Immunotherapy
- Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System Assesses Lung Transplant Rejection
Channels
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Blood Biomarker Predicts Cognitive Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest
Long-term cognitive impairment is a frequent consequence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest yet early prediction remains difficult. Clinicians commonly use blood-based markers to estimate brain injury risk... Read more
Liquid Biopsy Enables Faster Diagnosis of Childhood Cancer in Africa
Burkitt lymphoma is the most common childhood cancer in Africa and progresses rapidly, making fast, accurate diagnosis essential to survival. Although survival can exceed 90% when therapy starts quickly,... Read moreHematology
view channel
Rapid Cartridge-Based Test Aims to Expand Access to Hemoglobin Disorder Diagnosis
Sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia are hemoglobin disorders that often require referral to specialized laboratories for definitive diagnosis, delaying results for patients and clinicians.... Read more
New Guidelines Aim to Improve AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis
Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disorder in which abnormal amyloid proteins accumulate in organs. Approximately 3,260 people in the United States are diagnosed... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Microfluidic Chip Detects Cancer Recurrence from Immune Response Signals
Early identification of treatment response and relapse remains a major challenge in solid tumors, where minimal residual disease is difficult to detect with routine imaging and blood tests.... Read more
Cancer Mutation ‘Fingerprints’ to Improve Prediction of Immunotherapy Response
Cancer cells accumulate thousands of genetic mutations, but not all mutations affect tumors in the same way. Some make cancer cells more visible to the immune system, while others allow tumors to evade... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Breath Analysis Approach Offers Rapid Detection of Bacterial Infection
Accurate and rapid identification of bacterial infections remains challenging in acute care, where delays can hinder timely, targeted therapy. Infectious diseases are a major cause of mortality worldwide,... Read more
Study Highlights Accuracy Gaps in Consumer Gut Microbiome Kits
Direct-to-consumer gut microbiome kits promise personalized insights by profiling fecal bacteria and generating health readouts, but their analytical accuracy remains uncertain. A new study shows that... Read more
WHO Recommends Near POC Tests, Tongue Swabs and Sputum Pooling for TB Diagnosis
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers, yet millions of cases go undiagnosed or are detected too late. Barriers such as reliance on sputum samples, limited laboratory... Read morePathology
view channel
AI-Powered Tool to Transform Dermatopathology Workflow
Skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancer diagnoses in the United States, placing sustained pressure on pathology services. Diagnostic interpretation can be variable for challenging melanocytic... Read more
New Chromogenic Culture Media Enable Rapid Detection of Candida Infections
Invasive Candida infections are challenging for healthcare systems, with some strains spreading rapidly in hospitals and showing resistance to multiple antifungal drugs. Candida auris is associated with... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Portable Breath Sensor Detects Pneumonia Biomarkers in Minutes
Pneumonia is commonly confirmed with chest X-rays or laboratory assays that can take hours, delaying clinical decisions in acute and outpatient settings. Breath-based diagnostics promise faster answers... Read more
New Electronic Pipette Enhances Workflows with Touchscreen Control
Manual pipetting remains a routine yet error-prone step that can affect reproducibility and throughput in clinical and research laboratories. Training demands and ergonomic strain also add variability... Read more
AI Model Outperforms Clinicians in Rare Disease Detection
Rare diseases affect an estimated 300 million people worldwide, yet diagnosis is often protracted and error-prone. Many conditions present with heterogeneous signs that overlap with common disorders, leading... Read more
AI-Driven Diagnostic Demonstrates High Accuracy in Detecting Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but serious complication affecting 1% to 2% of primary joint replacement surgeries. The condition occurs when bacteria or fungi infect tissues around an implanted... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Automated MSI Test Gains IVDR Certification to Guide CRC Therapy
Treatment selection for metastatic colorectal cancer often requires knowledge of a tumor’s microsatellite instability (MSI) status. Timely results can help clinicians decide on immunotherapy options.... Read more








