Circulating immune complex in glomerulonephropathy associated with hepatitis B virus infection.

Urinary abnormalities combined with positive serum hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) were found in 9 children. Most of these patients were found by mass urine screening of school children. Renal biopsy findings revealed 6 cases of membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN) and 3 cases of minimal change disease. Immune deposits consisting of hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), IgG and C3 were detected in the glomerular capillary walls by immunofluorescent study in patients with MGN. Circulating immune complex was positive at a rate of 67% (6/9 cases) by the C1q-binding assay and at a rate of 56% (5/9 cases) by the protein-A precipitation test in patients with persistent urinary abnormalities and hepatic dysfunction.