Collapsing glomerulopathy associated with hepatitis B infection: A case report

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pediatric Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) is a severe podocytopathy, often a variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
• CG is recognized as a complication of various conditions including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain drug toxicities.
• While CG is well-documented in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, its association with other viral hepatitis remains largely unreported.

Observation:

• A pediatric case presenting with clinical and histological features of collapsing glomerulopathy is described.
• The patient had a concurrent diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
• This presentation is unusual given the established links between CG and HIV, but not other hepatitis viruses.

Findings:

• The case highlights a potential, previously unconfirmed association between hepatitis B infection and the development of collapsing glomerulopathy in children.
• Histopathological examination confirmed the characteristic glomerular collapse and podocyte injury seen in CG.
• This finding expands the spectrum of infectious triggers implicated in CG pathogenesis.

Implications:

• This case suggests that hepatitis B infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of collapsing glomerulopathy, particularly in pediatric populations.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying HBV-associated CG and its potential frequency.
• Understanding this association may inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for children presenting with CG and concurrent HBV infection.