Role of ribavirin in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis C virus infection refractory to alpha-interferon.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been associated with several extrahepatic diseases, such as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). alpha-Interferon is currently the treatment of choice for this association. When this therapy fails clinicians face a difficult challenge due to the lack of useful information in these particularly difficult patients. We report the case of a severe nephrotic syndrome due to MPGN associated HCV infection, in which a triple association--interferon plus ribavirin and cyclophosphamide--was needed to control the disease.
Pérez-Calvo
Juan
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Avda. San Juan Bosco 15, E-50009 Zaragoza, Spain. mibh-jperez@hcu.lblesa.es
Lasierra
Pilar
P
Moros
Manuel
M
Iñigo
Pablo
P
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide