Chronic relapsing demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with hepatitis B infection.
We studied a patient with chronic relapsing polyneuropathy associated with immune complexes of hepatitis B virus. There were cycles of remission and exacerbation in parallel with liver dysfunction. Immunofluorescent deposits of hepatitis B antigen, immunoglobulin, and C3 component were detected in the vasa nervorum. Ultrastructural study revealed electron-dense deposits that might have been immune complexes composed of hepatitis B virus, both around the endoneural capillary and in the endoneurium. Immune complexes composed of hepatitis B virus may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic relapsing polyneuropathy.
Inoue
A
A
Department of Medicine (Neurology), Shinshu University, School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
Tsukada
N
N
Koh
C S
CS
Yanagisawa
N
N
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology