Bone morphogenetic protein-2 will be a novel biochemical marker in urinary tract infections and stone formation

ObjectivesTo investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal stone in relation to Tamm–Horsfall protein (THP) and osteopontin (OPN).Design and methodsELISA kits were used to determine these markers in serum and urinary samples of 20 patients with UTI, 15 with renal stone and 10 controls.ResultsBMP-2 significantly increased in serum of patients who had UTI (P = 0.05) and renal stone (P = 0.01). In the case of UTI, serum BMP-2 at cutoff 44 pg/mL had sensitivity and specificity (92%, 80%), while cystatin C at cutoff 525 ng/mL showed sensitivity and specificity (85%, 91%). THP is a good predictor of renal diseases (P < 0.001) by regression analysis. It is also the most sensitive urinary marker for UTI with sensitivity and specificity (94%, 75%) at cutoff 305 ng/mL.ConclusionCombination of serum BMP-2 and cystatin C are more sensitive and accurate for early diagnosis of renal infection and damage.

► BMP-2 significantly increased in serum of UTI and renal stone (p = 0.01).
► Serum BMP-2 in UTI, at cutoff 44 pg/ml had sensitivity and specificity (92%, 80%).
► Urinary THP in UTI, at cutoff 305 ng/ml had sensitivity and specificity (94%, 75%).