Remission of hepatitis B virus-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a cirrhotic patient after lamivudine therapy.
We describe a 39-year-old man with hepatitis B virus-(HBV) related chronic hepatitis who presented with nephrotic syndrome and decompensated cirrhosis. A kidney biopsy revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) which was thought to be related to the HBV infection. Because interferon-alpha therapy was generally not recommended in patients with advanced liver disease, we chose lamivudine as an alternate treatment for the HBV-associated glomerulonephritis (GN). After 3-month treatment with oral lamivudine, resolution of the renal disease dramatically occurred together with improvement in liver function. To our knowledge, this is the first case of HBV-associated MPGN successfully treated with oral lamivudine therapy. The possible role of lamivudine in the treatment of HBV-associated GN is discussed.
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan. 9965@cch.org.tw
Y K
YK
Wen
M L
ML
Chen
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012074:Remission Induction; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D019259:Lamivudine