Clinicopathological features of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis associated with HBV infection: a retrospective analysis of 8 cases in China.

AIMS We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathologic features of 8 cases of hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis with hyaline thrombi, to confirm the diagnosis of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (CRYGN) associated with HBV infection. METHODS Retrospective analysis was carried out with demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, pathological and prognostic features. RESULTS The median age of 8 patients was 30.5 years (range, 21-75 years), including 6 males and 2 femles (M:F = 3:1). One patient had Raynaud's syndrome. Cryoglobulin testing was performed in 4 cases of our series, and 3 cases had elevated cryocrit (>256). Serum C4 decreased in all detected cases. Histopathologically, all cases showed hyaline thrombi occluded in capillary lumina; Co-deposit of IgG, IgM, IgA, Fib, C3d, C4d, C1q, HBsAg and HBcAb were identified in hyaline deposit/hyaline thrombi with polyclonal Igκ and Igλ staining. Ultrastructural examination confirmed the hyaline thrombi to be huge electron-dense bodies, which were a homogeneous texture. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that 8 cases in the series are CRYGN associated with HBV infection. The incidence of CRYGN associated HBV was extremely low. Our series suggested that prognosis of CRYGN associated HBV was better in patients with mild symptoms, but it was poor in elder patients with severe vasculitis.