Renal manifestations associated with hepatitis C virus

Ann Med Interne (Paris). 2000 Feb;151(1):41-5.

Abstract

Among the several types of chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) described in association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis is by far the most frequent. It is usually associated with type II cryoglobulinemia with IgM k rheumatoid factor. It is a membranoproliferative GN, which shows some distinctive histologic features (intraglomerular monocyte infiltration, intraluminal thrombi due to massive precipitation of cryoglobulins, renal vasculitis), has a chronic course with acute recurrent episodes that can be controlled by corticosteroids more than by antiviral therapy (interferon alpha). More controversial is the association with type I non-cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative GN, which has been found in some series from the USA and Japan but not in others. The demonstration of HCV antibodies and/or HCV-RNA in other types of chronic glomerulonephritis is usually reported in a small minority of cases suggesting the possibility of a coincidental finding more than an etiologic factor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cryoglobulinemia / immunology
  • Cryoglobulinemia / virology
  • Cryoglobulins / classification
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology
  • Glomerulonephritis / virology*
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / immunology
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / pathology
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / virology
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / immunology
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Recurrence
  • Rheumatoid Factor / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Cryoglobulins
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • RNA, Viral
  • Rheumatoid Factor