[A case of hepatitis B virus carrier complicated with nephrotic syndrome]

We report a patient, a 23-year-old man, who was a hepatitis B virus(HBV) carrier complicated with nephrotic syndrome. He was admitted to our hospital because of generalized edema and massive ascites. Laboratory data on admission were as follows: proteinuria 9,850 mg/day, Cr 2.7 mg/dl, BUN 73 mg/dl, albumin 1.9 g/dl, cholesterol 501 mg/dl, GOT 23 IU/l, GPT 19 IU/l, HBsAg(+), and HBeAg(222.7). Since his nephrotic symptoms were seriously complicated with renal failure, we selected steroid therapy for nephrosis preference. His renal function was improved and the urinary protein decreased immediately, but his liver function deteriorated. The renal biopsy revealed focal mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescent examination revealed slight deposits of IgG, IgM, and C3 along the glomerular basement membrane and mesangial matrix. He was not compliant and often stopped taking the steroid therapy, thereby causing nephrosis to recur each time. After all, nephrotic symptoms have been well-controlled with cyclosporin and steroid. In spite of the seroconversion of HB virus by formation of HBe antibody, mutant HBV infection continued. The fact that liver biopsy revealed severe lymphoid infiltration at the portal area suggested chronic active hepatitis. His clinicopathologic course suggests that HBV-associated nephropathy does not always remit as there are some cases in whom hepatitis remains in an active state even after seroconversion, due to its mutant status. In these cases, the long-term prognosis of HBV nephropathy has not been defined. Further study is necessary to establish the optimal treatment for HB nephropathy in adults.