[Perimembranous glomulonephritis in heapatitis associated with hepatitis B antigen (author's transl)]

Hepatitis B (HB) antigen was persistently found in two children with perimembranous glomerulonephritis. Soluble immune complexes were demonstrated in both instances. These circulating immune complexes were found only in serum fractions enriched with HB antigen. Immunohistology of sections of kidney demonstrated immune complexes in a granular pattern in the subepithelial regions of the glomerular capillary walls. Fluorescent HB antigen was found in the same region. HB antigen was also detectable in urine. Participation of the complement system in the progress of the disease was demonstrated quantitatively by a decrease in complement factors C1q, C4 and C3 in peripheral blood. Histological, including electromicroscopic, studies in both cases revealed diffuse thickening of the glomerular basement membrane with dense deposits of different extent, and spikes of the basment membrane. These studies strongly suggest an interrelationship between hepatitis with HB antigen and glomerulonephritis.