Antiviral immunity in chronic glomerulonephritis.

Antiviral activity was evaluated in sera from 65 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (GN), 58 patients with SLE and 59 healthy controls. Antibodies to influenza A2 and B, and parainfluenza I-II-III viruses occurred much more frequently in GN than in healthy controls. Geometric mean antibody titers to measles, influenza A2 and B, and parainfluenza I-II-III were found to be elevated. The frequency of antiviral antibodies and their level in GN patients were similar to those in SLE patients. Detection of increased antiviral activity in sera of patients with chronic GN extends the range of diseases where persistent latent viral infection may be relevant.