[The glomerulopathies of cirrhosis of the liver]

Since 1970, the types of glomerulopathy encountered in patients with cirrhosis of the liver have been accurately determined. In alcoholic cirrhosis IgA glomerulonephritis is frequent, usually non-proliferative and latent, sometimes membranoproliferative. Defective elimination of circulating immune complexes made up of bacterial or food antigens and IgA antibodies is thought to play a part in the pathogenesis of this type of glomerulonephritis. Extramembranous or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, occasionally containing the viral antigen, may complicate post-hepatitis cirrhosis, in which case an antiviral treatment might be effective against the renal disease.