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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers in glomerular diseases

Ricardo Enríquez1, Juan Carlos Rodríguez, Ana Esther Sirvent

  • 1Nephrology Section, Hospital General de Elche, Elche, Spain. jcrd65@gmail.com

Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology
|September 14, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is significantly more prevalent in patients with glomerulonephritis (Gn) compared to the general population. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence showed no significant difference between the groups.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Glomerulonephritis (Gn) is a kidney disease affecting the glomeruli.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are common viral infections.
  • The relationship between viral hepatitis and Gn requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in patients diagnosed with glomerulonephritis.
  • To compare viral hepatitis prevalence in Gn patients with a control group of blood donors.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 89 patients with Gn.
  • Serological testing for HBV and HCV antibodies.
  • Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HCV RNA detection.
  • Comparison with a control group of 59,546 blood donors.

Main Results:

  • No patients with Gn were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
  • HCV antibodies were found in 4 Gn patients (significantly higher prevalence than controls, p < 0.001).
  • HCV RNA was detected in 3 of the 4 HCV antibody-positive Gn patients.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis C virus infection is more prevalent in patients with glomerulonephritis.
  • Hepatitis B virus infection prevalence did not differ significantly between Gn patients and controls.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between HCV and Gn.
Abstract

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