Warning: Renal failure

Scientists have discovered a urine protein test that could warn us about impending renal failure.

Scientists at John Hopkins University have reportedly discovered a urine protein test that could warn us about impending renal failure or rejection following transplant surgery.

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"This has the potential to radically change the way transplant patients are managed. Frequent, non-invasive monitoring could allow doctors to better tailor immuno-suppression drugs according to individual patient's needs, prescribing lower doses to more stable patients or increasing doses for patients who show early signs of rejection," claimed the Ernesto P. Molmenti, an associate professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins and lead author of the study.

If successful in its application, the test could help patients avoid going through a painful biopsy, besides reducing debilitating costs.

"Unlike kidney biopsy, a urine test is risk-free, presents no discomfort or restraints to the patients, and samples the entire kidney accurately," said William Clarke, an assistant professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins.