Stehmanbreen C, Alpers CE, Couser WG, Willson R, Johnson RJ
Hepatitis C virus associated membranous
glomerulonephritis
Clin Nephrol
(Sep) 44:141-147 1995
Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with a spectrum of extrahepatic
disorders (see recent review in Ann Int Med by Gumber and Chopra (15 Oct 95
123:615). The usual renal complication is membranoproliferative GN, with or
without cryoglobulinemia. Therapy of the membranoproliferative lesion with
interferon has been disappointing, despite occasional successes. In this
paper four patients with membranous GN are reported associated with hepatitis
C infection. There was no evidence of cryoglobulinemia, or rheumatoid factor
elevation, and serum complement was only slightly reduced. Three patients
were treated with interferon, and there appeared to be some improvement.
(Daugirdas)