HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION AND MEMBRANOP ROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Background and methods. A possible association between hepatitis C vir us infection (HCV) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) or membranous glomerulonephritis has recently been reported. The path ogenesis of this entity appears to be immunologically mediated. The pu rpose of this report is to describe the clinical, laboratory, and hyst opathological features of three patients with chronic HCV infection, w ithout hepatitis B virus disease or autoimmune diseases, but with glom erular disease. Results. All three patients had chronic hepatopathy st igmata, ascitis, peripheral edema, and normal blood pressure values. L aboratory results showed mild liver function abnormalities and normal levels of blood nitrogenous waste products. Microscopic hematuria, hyp oalbuminemia and variable proteinuria without hypercholesterolemia wer e found in all cases. All three had positive rheumatoid factor. Only o ne patient had positive antinuclear antibodies and antimitochondrial a ntibodies at low levels, and another displayed low C3 and C4 serum lev els. Renal histology in the three cases showed type 1 membranoprolifer ative glomerulonephritis and hepatic cirrhosis in the liver biopsy. Co nclusions. This report supports the association between chronic HCV in fection and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. However, further studies are needed to establish more firmly the association as well a s the mechanisms of pathogenesis and causality between them.