[Two cases of membranous glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis C virus infection].

Although the occasional occurrence of glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been reported recently in the literature, the type described has been mainly membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN); membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is very rare. In this paper, two cases of MGN associated with HCV infection are reported. Case 1 was a 56-year-old male who had positive HCV Ab and HCV RNA. The diagnosis of chronic active hepatitis was verified by liver biopsy. Laboratory data showed proteinuria (5g per day), hematuria and hypocomplementemia by hemolytic assay. Renal biopsy led to the diagnosis of MGN in stage II. The patient was treated with interferon alpha for 6 months, resulting in improvement of hypocomplementemia, transient reduction of GOT and GPT during the course of treatment. The GOT and GPT were aggravated again after the completion of therapy. No improvement was seen in proteinuria and hematuria, and HCV Ab remained positive. Case 2 was a 69-year-old male who had positive HCV Ab and HCV RNA, and had normal liver function. Subsequently, his GOT value was slightly elevated. Proteinuria (2g per day) was demonstrated. The diagnosis of MGN in stage II was made on the basis of renal biopsy. The clinical characteristics of these two cases suggest that MGN is a type of glomerulonephritis associated with HCV infection.