Brief communication: Glomerulonephritis in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently develop renal failure after liver transplantation.


OBJECTIVE
To describe renal histologic characteristics and concomitant clinical features in HCV-infected patients with end-stage cirrhosis.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Single-center liver transplant program in the United States.


METHODS
30 patients who received liver transplants for HCV-induced cirrhosis.


METHODS
Kidney biopsy during liver engraftment.


METHODS
Clinical data and laboratory tests of renal function within 6 months before liver transplantation.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients had immune-complex glomerulonephritis: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 1 (n = 12), IgA nephropathy (n = 7), and mesangial glomerulonephritis (n = 6). Of these patients, 10 had normal serum creatinine levels, normal urinalysis results, and normal quantitative proteinuria. For 5 others, the only renal abnormality was an increased serum creatinine level. No patient had cryoglobulins in the blood or kidney.


CONCLUSIONS
This small observational study did not include patients with nonviral cirrhosis and did not document post-transplantation outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Immune-complex glomerulonephritis was common in patients with end-stage HCV-induced cirrhosis and was often clinically silent. Its potential to cause renal failure after liver transplantation may be underappreciated.
McGuire
Brendan M
BM
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0005, USA. bmcguire@uab.edu
Julian
Bruce A
BA
Bynon
J Steve
JS
Cook
William J
WJ
King
Steven J
SJ
Curtis
John J
JJ
Accortt
Neil A
NA
Eckhoff
Devin E
DE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*