Spontaneous Remission of IgA Nephropathy Associated With Resolution of Hepatitis A

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Followed by Acute Hepatitis A Infection: Case Report

Background and Objectives: Chronic viral hepatitis such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C is frequently related to nephropathies, yet acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is an exception. Materials and Methods: A 43-year-old male presented with jaundice accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The patient was diagnosed with acute HAV infection. Although the liver function improved after conservative treatment, various symptoms such as proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, generalized edema and pleural effusion persisted. Due to nephrotic syndrome, the patient was referred to the clinic of the nephrology department and a renal biopsy was performed. Results: The result of the renal biopsy was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) based on histology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Therefore, based on the clinical history and biopsy results, the patient was diagnosed as having FSGS aggravated by acute HAV infection. Proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema were improved after prednisolone treatment. Conclusions: Although less common, acute HAV infection can also present with an extrahepatic manifestation, for example, FSGS. Hence, clinical attention is required if proteinuria or hypoalbuminemia persists in patients with acute HAV infection.

Secondary IgA Nephropathy and IgA-Associated Nephropathy: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

Primary (pIgAN), secondary IgA nephropathy (sIgAN), and IgA-associated nephropathy can be distinguished. While pIgAN has been thoroughly studied, information about the etiology of sIgAN remains scarce. As concerns sIgAN, several studies suggest that different etiologic factors play a role and ultimately lead to a pathophysiologic process similar to that of pIgAN. In this article, we review a vast number of cases in order to determine the novel putative underlying diseases of sIgAN. Moreover, updates on the common pathophysiology of primary disorders and sIgAN are presented. We identified liver, gastrointestinal, oncological, dermatological, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases, as well as infectious, iatrogenic, and environmental factors, as triggers of sIgAN. As novel biological therapies for listed underlying diseases emerge, we suggest implementing drug-induced sIgAN as a new significant category. Clinicians should acknowledge the possibility of sIgAN progression in patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors, IL-12/IL-23-inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, CTLA-4, oral anticoagulants, thioureylene derivatives, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.

Glomerular Disease in Liver Disease

Glomerular diseases are an important cause of kidney disease in patients with liver disease. Although kidney involvement due to tubular or vascular disease is more common, glomerular diseases became more prevalent as hepatitis infections increased and then subsequently decreased with the widespread availability of hepatitis A and B vaccines and the development of effective antiviral treatments for hepatitis B and C. In this review, we discuss the common glomerular pathologies that are seen in patients with liver disease and the current treatment options available to them.

Mechanisms of kidney dysfunction in the cirrhotic patient: Non-hepatorenal acute-on-chronic kidney damage considerations

Renal dysfunction is a common finding in cirrhotic patients and has a great physiologic, and therefore, prognostic relevance. The combination of liver disease and renal dysfunction can occur as a result of systemic conditions that affect both the liver and the kidney, although primary disorders of the liver complicated by renal dysfunction are much more common. As most of the renal dysfunction scenarios in cirrhotic patients correspond to either prerenal azotemia or hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), physicians tend to conceive renal dysfunction in cirrhotic patients as mainly HRS. However, there are many systemic conditions that may cause both a "baseline" chronic kidney damage and a superimposed kidney dysfunction when this systemic condition worsens. The main aim of this article is to review some of the most important non prerenal non-HRS considerations regarding acute on chronic kidney dysfunction in cirrhotic patients, including renal manifestation of related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) viral hepatitis, the effect of cardiorenal syndrome in cirrhotics and corticosteroid-deficiency associated renal dysfunction.

Renal complications of liver diseases

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the major causes of chronic liver disease. HBV and HCV affect nearly 7% of the world's population. Extra-hepatic complications and particularly renal failure have different mechanisms and manifestations. The underlying mechanism, although differing for each disease, mainly involves the immune system and antibody deposits in the kidney, which can lead to tissue damage. Areas covered: We do not cover in this review hepatorenal syndrome. We report on the renal complications of viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV, hepatitis E), autoimmune hepatitis, cirrhosis, and Wilson's disease. The most frequent renal disorders are those related to HBV, and HCV due to their high prevalence worldwide. Expert commentary: Thanks to generalization of vaccination against HBV, prevalence of HBV-related liver diseases will decrease, and thereby its associated renal involvement such as polyarteritis nodosa (an exceptional condition), and glomerulonephritis such as membranous nephropathy. Thanks to direct acting antiviral agents HCV infection will be cured within the next decade. However, HCV-related cryoglobulinemia with or without renal involvement might evolve on its own after the patient has eliminated HCV, necessitating then rituximab therapy. Conversely, orofecal-transmitted hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A and hepatitis E are still very prevalent in developing countries; however, they are rarely associated with renal manifestations.

Paraneoplastic immunoglobulin A nephropathy and associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in asymptomatic low volume B-cell lymphoma - a case report

Background

Paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis is rare in haematological malignancies and tends to manifest as minimal change disease, membranous glomerulonephritis or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. We present the first report of immunoglobulin A nephropathy and associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a patient with asymptomatic low grade B-cell lymphoma.

Case presentation

A 53 year old gentleman presented with nephrotic range proteinuria (urine protein creatinine ratio of 662 mg/mmol) on a background of type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycosylated haemoglobin: < 6%), hypertension, obesity (body mass index: 47.6 kg/m²) and degenerative spine disease. Bone marrow biopsy diagnosed a low grade B-cell lymphoma and renal biopsy was consistent with immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Lymphoma treatment with six cycles of cyclophosphamide/ rituximab/ prednisolone led to normalisation of urinary protein excretion (urine protein creatinine ratio: 14 mg/mmol at 26 months post-chemotherapy).

Conclusion

Paraneoplastic immunoglobulin A nephropathy can occur with a broad range of haematological malignancies regardless of stage. This case illustrates the importance of meticulous haematological system work-up for patients presenting with immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Recognition of paraneoplastic immunoglobulin A nephropathy and early diagnosis of associated malignancy can be life-saving.

IgA nephropathy and infections

In this paper we concentrate on the role of infections in IgA nephropathy both from a pathogenetic and clinic point of view. The current hypotheses as regards the role of infections in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy are: (a) role of particular pathogens, (b) chronic exposure to mucosal infections, (c) abnormal handling of commensal microbes (gut microbiota). We also focus on particular infections reported in association with classic IgA nephropathy (HIV, malaria, Chlamydia, Lyme disease), as well as on IgA dominant-infection-associated glomerulonephritis. This is a unique form of glomerulonephritis, where IgA deposition is dominant. It is mostly recognized in old, diabetic patients and in association with staphylococcal infection.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy associated with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Glomerulonephritis occurs as a rare form of renal manifestation in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Herein, we report a case of falciparum malaria-associated IgA nephropathy for the first time. A 49-yr old male who had been to East Africa was diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Microhematuria and proteinuria along with acute kidney injury developed during the course of the disease. Kidney biopsy showed mesangial proliferation and IgA deposits with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Laboratory tests after recovery from malaria showed disappearance of urinary abnormalities and normalization of kidney function. Our findings suggest that malaria infection might be associated with IgA nephropathy.

Hepatitis-related renal disease

Many glomerular diseases can be caused by viral infections based on the diagnostic criteria, including clinical and laboratory data, and molecular analysis of tissue. Operative pathogenetic mechanisms include kidney tropism of the virus, immune complex formation, direct cytopathogenic effect, and multi-organ failure. Chronic infection with hepatitis virus is etiologically linked to well-defined glomerulopathies. In endemic areas, HBV is associated with both membranous nephropathy and mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, while HCV is known to cause cryoglobulinemia-mediated glomerulonephritis and other forms of glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsy with appropriate serological and molecular testing helps to define virus-related glomerular lesions and provides a prognostic and therapeutic guide. Antiviral agents remain the mainstay of treatment.

Fulminant hepatitis and glomerulonephritis--a rare presentation of hepatitis A virus infection

AIM

We report a case of fulminant hepatitis and glomerulonephritis by Hepatitis A virus infection.

METHODS

We observed the patient's clinical course and analyzed his data retrospectively.

RESULTS

The three-year-old boy presented with features of acute renal failure and stage 2 hepatic encephalopathy. Renal biopsy showed diffuse mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with immunoglobulin M and complement 3 deposition. After receiving supportive treatment for over 6 weeks, the hepatic and renal function became normal. Renal biopsy after 3 months was normal.

CONCLUSION

Acute renal failure is a rare complication of Hepatitis A virus infection. Physicians should be aware of the potential renal involvement of Hepatitis A virus infection as the prognosis is not always favourable.