TY - JOUR
T1 - Chronic membranous glomerulonephritis caused by hepatitis B antigen antibody immune complexes
AU - Kohler, P. F.
AU - Cronin, R. E.
AU - Hammond, W. S.
AU - Olin, D.
AU - Carr, R. I.
PY - 1974
Y1 - 1974
N2 - The immunopathogenesis of chronic membranous glomerulonephritis was investigated in a 42 yr old man with chronic active hepatitis, type B. In 2 renal biopsies, 14 mth apart, immunofluorescent study showed glomerular deposition of the hepatitis B antigen (HB Ag) and host IgG, IgM, and C3 in an irregular ''immune complex'' pattern. Electron microscopy showed dense deposits in the thickened basement membrane but no morphologic evidence of the intact, spherical, 20 nm HB Ag. Low concentrations of HB Ag were found in serial serum samples whereas total complement and component concentrations were normal. Most significantly, circulating HB Ag antibody complexes were directly shown by serum cryoprecipitation. Results of in vitro tests for a cell mediated immune response to HB Ag were negative. The potential importance of chronic hepatitis B virus infection as a primary cause of human immune complex glomerulonephritis is supported by these findings.
AB - The immunopathogenesis of chronic membranous glomerulonephritis was investigated in a 42 yr old man with chronic active hepatitis, type B. In 2 renal biopsies, 14 mth apart, immunofluorescent study showed glomerular deposition of the hepatitis B antigen (HB Ag) and host IgG, IgM, and C3 in an irregular ''immune complex'' pattern. Electron microscopy showed dense deposits in the thickened basement membrane but no morphologic evidence of the intact, spherical, 20 nm HB Ag. Low concentrations of HB Ag were found in serial serum samples whereas total complement and component concentrations were normal. Most significantly, circulating HB Ag antibody complexes were directly shown by serum cryoprecipitation. Results of in vitro tests for a cell mediated immune response to HB Ag were negative. The potential importance of chronic hepatitis B virus infection as a primary cause of human immune complex glomerulonephritis is supported by these findings.
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U2 - 10.7326/0003-4819-81-4-448
DO - 10.7326/0003-4819-81-4-448
M3 - Article
C2 - 4212994
AN - SCOPUS:0016286412
SN - 1744-165X
VL - 81
SP - 448
EP - 451
JO - Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
JF - Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
IS - 4
ER -