Continuing Medical Education

The utility of urine sulphosalicylic acid testing in the detection of non-albumin proteinuria

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S Ndamase, R Freercks

Abstract


We report two cases of immunoglobulin light chain proteinuria (Bence Jones proteinuria) detected by simple side-room invest­igations: urine dipstick negative/1+, but with strong positive pre­cipitation on addition of an equal volume of sulphosalicylic acid (SSA) 3%. We highlight a significant limitation of urine dipstick testing, namely specificity for albumin, and the utility of SSA testing for the detection of urinary free light chain immunoglobulins. 

 

Authors' affiliations

S Ndamase, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, and Renal Unit, Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

R Freercks, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, and Renal Unit, Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

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Keywords

Urine sulphosalicylic acid; Non-albumin proteinuria

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2015;105(2):153. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.9270

Article History

Date submitted: 2014-12-08
Date published: 2014-12-16

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