Haptoglobinuria in Nephrotic Syndromes

Abstract

As a rule, only traces of haptoglobin can be found, by titrimetric method, in the urine of patients presenting a nephrotic syndrome with considerable proteinuria, as against their serum, which is very rich in α₂ globulin and especially in haptoglobin. Actually, it is so only in the case of patients belonging to Smithies's groups 2.1 and 2.2 (ref. 1), for, when the serum belongs to group 1.1, the haptoglobin, of lower molecular weight, filtered through the nephrotic kidney, can reach a concentration of several gm. per litre^2,3.