Clinical and Morphologic Spectrum of Renal Involvement in Patients with HBV‐Associated Cryoglobulinemia

Cryoglobulinaemic glomerulonephritis related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features, renal biopsy findings in patients with HBV-associated cryoglobulinaemia.Twelve patients with HBV-associated cryoglobulinaemia were identified in this study. The demographic, clinical, pathological characteristics, treatment and follow-up data were analyzed.Renal involvement was characterized by nephrotic range proteinuria with microscopic haematuria in all patients, and impaired renal function in nine patients (75%). Purpuric rash was the main extrarenal manifestation (58.3%). Type II cryoglobulinaemia was presented in three patients and type III in nine patients. Hypocomplementaemia and positive of rheumatoid factors were present in all patients. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was observed in all kidney specimens. Seven patients also had evidence of prominent cryoglobulins thrombi on renal biopsy, but only three patients had HBV antigen deposits in renal tissues. Antiviral and steroids or immunosuppressive agents have been used in most of patients. During follow-up, two patients died, and four reaching end-stage renal disease; three patients had complete remission, and three patients had renal function improved after therapy.Nephrotic syndrome with haematuria and renal insufficiency are the main clinical manifestation; cryoglobulinaemic glomerulonephritis are the main renal lesion in patients with HBV-Associated cryoglobulinaemia; half of patients have poor outcome even with antiviral and immunosuppressive therapy. The results of this study indicate that cryoglobulins should be detected in hepatitis B virus-Associated nephropathy in endemic area.