[Treatment of hepatitis B virus-associated membranous glomerulonephritis with interferon alfa in a 7 year old boy].
BACKGROUND
The association between Hepatitis B virus infection and membranous nephropathy has been confirmed by sources in several countries. Most commonly, the illness is seen as a nephrotic syndrome. Optimal treatment remains undefined. Antiviral therapies observed with recombinant human interferon alpha may be the best treatment option.


METHODS
We present a 7-year old boy with membranous glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome. Twelve months after the initial hospitalization therapy was started with recombinant alpha-interferon s.c. three times weekly for six months. After the therapy the patient is stable, without proteinuria, edema or renal failure. He was seronegative for HBsAg, HBV-DNA and antibody to HBeAg.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report suggests that alpha interferon is effective in the complete resolution of proteinuria in HBV membranous nephropathy.
Steiss
J O
JO
Zentrum für Kinderheilkunde, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen.
Piske-Keyser
K
K
Gröne
H J
HJ
Gortner
L
L
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000821:virology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins