[Presence of markers of hepatitis B in patients with nephrotic syndrome]

The purpose of the present work was to study the rate of HB viral infection from the standpoint of its pathogenetic importance in children with the nephrotic syndrome (NS). As many as 71 children aged 2 to 15 years with the NS were examined. 23 children with hematuric glomerulonephritic (GN) served as control. HB viral infection markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, total anti-HBc and IgM anti-HBc) were detected in the blood serum by means of IEA in all the patients. The examinations made it possible to reveal material differences in the distribution of various combinations of VHB markers in children with the NS and hematuric GN. The combination of HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc turned out most characteristic for the NS, pointing to active NB viral infection. In patients with mixed GN, that combination was detectable twice as often. The data obtained attest te a high rate of the association of HB viral infection with GN, particularly with that running its course with the NS. In this case, the rate mentioned was significantly higher than in the population. A definite relationship between the activity of HB viral infection and the gravity of the NS suggests that VHB is implicated in the pathogenesis of GN. This suggestion may be indirectly supported by a far higher rate of HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc demonstration in patients suffering from membranoproliferative GN.