HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-ASSOCIATED GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IN ADULTS

There is strong evidence that chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectio n is associated with the development of glomerulonephritis (GN). Membr anous nephropathy, mesangiocapillary nephropathy and mesangial prolife rative glomerulonephritis (with IgA deposits) are the best documented HBV-associated GN. Our findings indicate the presence of viral transcr iption in glomerular cells and renal tubular epithelia supporting an a etiological role of HBV in some chronic HBV carriers who develop co-ex isting glomerulonephritis. Although the natural history of these glome rulonephritides is now better known, complete cure may not always be p ossible. Prevention by vaccinating newborns with HBV vaccine should be practised in endemic areas. Alfa-interferon therapy should be tried i n HBV-associated glomerulonephritis in children or adult with short du ration of infection.