Successful cyclophosphamide treatment of cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis C virus infection.
A 54-year-old man with cryoglobulinemia and chronic hepatitis C infection presented with progressive renal insufficiency caused by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Because of a steady decline in renal function, cyclophosphamide therapy was instituted. Within 1 month of starting therapy, his cryoglobulins disappeared, and in 3 months, his creatinine clearance had improved from 56 mL/min to 89 mL/min. At no point in his course was there clinical evidence of liver disease. After 1 year, cyclophosphamide was successfully stopped. Fourteen months later, his creatinine clearance is 105 mL/min. These results suggest that cyclophosphamide may be useful therapy for patients with cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and hepatitis C virus infection who have progressive renal insufficiency.
Quigg
R J
RJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, USA.
Brathwaite
M
M
Gardner
D F
DF
Gretch
D R
DR
Ruddy
S
S
D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003520:Cyclophosphamide