A Case of IgA Nephropathy associated with Acute Hepatitis A

Korean Journal of Nephrology 2010;29(1):149-152.

Seok Min Hong, M.D.1, Jeong Kyung Park, M.D.1, Jeong Ho Kim, M.D.1 Jeong Hae Kie, M.D.2, Byung Kyu Park, M.D.1, Ea Wha Kang, M.D.1 Suk Kyun Shin, M.D.1 and Seung Hyeok Han, M.D.1

Department of Internal Medicine¹
Department of Pathology2 NHIC Ilsan Hospital, Goyangshi, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

증례 : 급성 A형 간염 환자에서 동반된 IgA 신병증 1예

홍석민1, 박정경1, 김정호1, 기정혜2, 박병규1, 강이화1, 신석균1, 한승혁1

국민건강 보험공단 일산병원 내과1 , 병리과2

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.

Key Words: Glomerulonephritis IGA, Hepatitis A, Kidney failure acute, Proteinuria