Two Cases of Hepatitis B Virus-associated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis with Contrasting Renal and Survival Outcomes after Antiviral Therapy

We examined renal biopsy specimens from two men (ages 36 and 35 years) who had been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, were positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-e antigen and proteinuria, and diagnosed with HBV-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Antiviral medications for HBV were effective in one patient who was negative for HBV-e antigen, and his proteinuria improved. However, in the other patient, only limited therapeutic efficacy was observed and nephropathy progressed, necessitating dialysis. The patient developed hepatocellular carcinoma and died. The efficacy of antiviral therapy for HBV was associated with renal and survival outcomes.