Korean J Nephrol.  2010 Jan;29(1):149-152.

A Case of IgA Nephropathy associated with Acute Hepatitis A

• Hong SM
• Park JK
• Kim JH
• Kie JH
• Park BK
• Kang EW
• Shin SK
• Han SH

Abstract

IgA nephropathy is the most common type of glomerulonephritis worldwide. Although primary IgA nephropathy receives the most attention, many other diseases are also associated with IgA nephropathy. Among these, chronic liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease or hepatitis B or C have been reported as secondary causes of glomerular IgA deposits. Recently, as the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is increasing in Korea, HAV-associated renal diseases occur frequently. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common complications of HAV infection, mainly due to acute tubular necrosis or interstitial nephritis. However, unlike hepatitis B and C, glomerular involvement is extremely rare in acute HAV infection. Here, we report a case of biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy with serologically documented HAV infection. The patient presented moderate degree of proteinuria without evidence of AKI. Renal biopsy revealed mesangial IgA deposits but tubular or interstitial inflammation was not observed. This report suggests that HAV infection may be a secondary cause of IgA nephropathy. However, further studies are required to elucidate a causal link between hepatitis A and mesangial IgA deposits.

Keyword

Glomerulonephritis IGA; Hepatitis A; Kidney failure acute; Proteinuria

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Aluminum Hydroxide
Biopsy
Carbonates
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis, IGA
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus
Hepatitis B
Humans
Immunoglobulin A
Inflammation
Korea
Liver Diseases
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic
Necrosis
Nephritis, Interstitial
Prevalence
Proteinuria
Aluminum Hydroxide
Carbonates
Immunoglobulin A