Basic fibroblast growth factors as a biomarker of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in HIV-positive and HIV-negative children

Abstract

Background. HIV infection can lead to the development of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) with the majority of patients progressing to end-stage kidney disease. Previous studies have recognised basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as a biomarker for HIVAN, since significant levels of bFGF low-affinity receptors have been found in the kidneys of HIV-infected children. Objective. To assess the association between bFGF and kidney disease in the development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in HIV-positive and negative children. Methods. The study group consisted of 31 children; HIVAN ( n =11) and idiopathic FSGS ( n =20). The control group consisted of both HIV-positive ( n =20) and HIV-negative ( n =20) children with no kidney disease. Serum samples from all patients in both the study and control groups were analysed for bFGF. Results . The concentration of bFGF was higher, in comparison with idiopathic FSGS children, in HIVAN children ( p =0.0167). There was also a significant elevation of serum bFGF levels in children with HIVAN when compared with HIV-positive ( p =0.0288) and HIV-negative ( p =0.0043) control groups. Conclusion. This study demonstrated statistically significant differences between bFGF levels in children with HIVAN and a control group, although it failed to distinguish significant differences in bFGF levels between HIVAN and idiopathic FSGS children.