Herpes virus antigens and antibodies in kidney biopsies and sera of IgA glomerulonephritic patients.

Antibody titers against 4 viruses of the herpes group have been studied in the sera of 54 patients with IgA glomerulonephritis (GN). The incidence of antibodies to herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA), and that of IgG antibodies to EBV virus capsid antigen (VCA) were similar in patients and in controls. However, elevated antibody titers (greater than or equal to 64) to HSV and CMV occurred more frequently in patients with IgA GN than in healthy controls. Geometric mean titers to HSV and CMV were also higher in patients suffering from IgA GN than in controls. The incidence of IgA antibodies to EBV VCA occurred in patients with IgA GN significantly more often than in controls. There was a trace amount of HSV-2 antigen in 2 glomeruli of 1 renal biopsy. It is concluded that, in some patients with IgA GN, there is an abnormal immune response to certain types of herpes viruses.