Remission of HBV-related mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis after interferon therapy

abdomen. Systemic examination revealed no otherabnormality.Glomerulonephritis is an uncommon but well- Investigation at admission revealed a haemoglobindescribed complication of chronic hepatitis B virus of 10.6 g/dl with normal total and diVerential leukocyte(HBV) infection [1]. Corticosteroids and other and platelet counts, serum bilirubin 0.6 mg/dl, aspart-immunosuppressive drugs are of no benet [2], and ate aminotransferase (AST) 73 IU/l (normal 2–20),may actually increase the morbidity and mortality [3]. alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 85 IU/l (NormalInterferon (IFN) therapy has been used in small 2–15), alkaline phosphatase 160 IU/l (normal 70–140),numbers of patients with HBV-associated membranous albumin 2.6 g/dl, globulin 3.7 g/dl, and creatinineand membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis [4]. We 1mg/dl. Urine examination revealed 3+ proteinuriareport here a case of mesangioproliferative glomerulo- and 24-h urinary protein was 2.0 g. HBsAg and hepat-nephritis and chronic hepatitis due to HBV infection, itis B e antigen (HBeAg) were positive after 6 monthswho beneted from IFN therapy. of illness. There was no evidence of cirrhosis onultrasound examination of the abdomen. Light micro-scopy of renal biopsy tissue revealed mesangioprolifer-