Renal immune complexes in viral hepatitis.

Twenty-two patients dying of acute viral hepatitis were studied for the presence of renal immune complexes using direct immunofluorescence. A detailed light microscopic study of liver, kidney and other organs was also done and sera scanned for the presence of HBsAg. Results of light microscopy indicate that thirteen of twenty-two patients showed mild to moderate glomerular abnormalities. Immunofluorescence was positive in fifteen of twenty-two patients. IgA being positive in 28%. The incidence of HBsAg was low. It is suggested that both B and non-B type of hepatitis viruses are associated with a high incidence of renal immune complexes along with morphological alterations in the glomerulus.