Interferon treatment for hepatitis B-associated membranous glomerulonephritis in two Chinese children.
Two Chinese boys, aged 3.5 and 5 years, developed nephrotic syndrome and were chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg). Renal biopsy showed membranous glomerulonephritis and liver biopsy showed chronic persistent hepatitis. They were given interferon-alpha-2a at a dose of 5 MU/m2 on alternate days for 12 and 16 weeks after 2 years of persistent nephrotic syndrome. Patient 1 showed complete remission and resolution of hepatosplenomegaly, but his serum remained positive for HBsAg, HBeAg and hepatitis B virus DNA. Patient 2 showed only a transient clinical response and seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe status. Although not always successful, interferon treatment should be considered in severe persistent nephrotic states, since there is at present no satisfactory treatment for this form of glomerulonephropathy.
D001706:Biopsy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007372:Interferons