A case of acute renal failure associated with type A acute hepatitis responds dramatically to plasmapheresis

A case of acute renal failure (ARF) associated with type A acute hepatitis followed by a dramatic response to plasmapheresis is described. A female patient was transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of ARF associated with acute hepatitis. Since radioimmunoassay for IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus showed a positive reaction, recent infection with hepatitis A virus was suspected. Hemodialysis immediately performed after admission was not effective. Plasmapheresis was started on the 5th hospital day and there was a dramatic improvement in ARF and hepatitis. It is concluded that plasmapheresis is effective in the treatment of ARF associated with liver disease if it is applied in the early stage.