Hepatitis B virus‐associated glomerulonephritis in adults

Summary: There is strong evidence that chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with the development of glomerulonephritis (GN). Membranous nephropathy, mesangiocapillary nephropathy and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (with IgA deposits) are the best documented HBV‐associated GN. Our findings indicate the presence of viral transcription in glomerular cells and renal tubular epithelia supporting an aetiological role of HBV in some chronic HBV carriers who develop co‐existing glomerulonephritis. Although the natural history of these glomerulonephritides is now better known, complete cure may not always be possible. Prevention by vaccinating newborns with HBV vaccine should be practised in endemic areas. Alfa‐interferon therapy should be tried in HBV‐associated glomerulonephritis in children or adult with short duration of infection.