Replication and infectivity of hepatitis B virus in HBV-related glomerulonephritis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in renal tissues from patients with HBV-related glomerulonephritis.


METHODS
Renal tissue biopsies taken from patients with HBV-related glomerulonephritis and two control groups were prepared for immunocytochemical detection of HBsAg and HBcAg. HBV cccDNA was examined using a nested PCR.


RESULTS
Of the 63 HBV-related glomerulonephritis patients studied, HBsAg was present in the renal tissues of 48 (76.2%) and HBcAg in the renal tissues of 27 (42.9%). The HBsAg and HBcAg positive rates in HBV-related glomerulonephritis patients were higher than those of the 20 patients with non-HBV-related glomerulonephritis (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference when the HBV-related glomerulonephritis patients were compared with 12 patients with renal tuberculosis, renal atrophy, renal calculus, and renal tumor with positive serum HBV markers. In patients with HBV-related glomerulonephritis, there was no significant difference in HBsAg and HBcAg positive rates in renal tissue between patients with and without serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). By nested PCR, two of five patients with HBV-related glomerulonephritis were positive for HBV cccDNA.


CONCLUSIONS
The location and replication of HBV in renal tissue make the kidney a potential reservoir for HBV. HBV cccDNA may be key in the search for anti-HBV drugs.
Chen
Lizhang
L
School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Wu
Chengqiu
C
Fan
Xuegong
X
Gao
Jianming
J
Yin
Hongling
H
Wang
Tom
T
Wu
Jun
J
Wen
Shi Wu
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004270:DNA, Circular / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014779:Virus Replication; D055815:Young Adult
D004270:DNA, Circular; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens