[Membranous nephropathy associated with chronic hepatitis caused by B virus]

We report 6 cases with membranous glomerulonephritis associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, who came under our observation for microscopic haematuria in 2 cases, haematuria and proteinuria in 1 case, and nephrotic syndrome in the others. At the examination all 6 children were found to have hepatomegaly with raised serum transaminase activity. All the patients were positive in the serum for HBsAg and anti-HBc, 3 were HBeAg and anti-HBe negative. Liver biopsy showed features of chronic hepatitis with moderate signs of activity. Renal biopsy was consistent with membranous glomerulonephritis in all patients. With a fluorescent antibody technic HBeAg was found to be deposited in diffuse granular fashion, along glomerular capillary walls, together with IgG, in 2 out of 3 cases stained, but no deposition of HBsAg was detected in all the patients. Steroid therapy was started from 18 to 33 months. Urine analysis became negative in 4 cases and persisted normal in the follow-up. One patient with haematuria developed nephrotic syndrome and one died from miliary tuberculosis. Our findings suggest that the clinical outcome is favourable in children with membranous glomerulonephritis and chronic active hepatitis and that the pathogenesis probably is not unique.