Hepatitis E Virus-Induced Cryoglobulinemic Glomerulonephritis in a Nonimmunocompromised Person

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV)-related kidney disease and symptomatic cryoglobulinemia have been observed in solid-organ transplant recipients. However, HEV RNA in the cryoprecipitate has not yet been assessed. We report what to our knowledge is the first documented case of autochthonous HEV-induced cryoglobulinemic crescentic and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in an immunocompetent man with no notable medical history. He presented with edema, hypertension, increased serum creatinine level, and nephrotic syndrome. Type II cryoglobulinemia with monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) κ light chain was detected. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM, as well as HEV RNA, were detected in serum and cryoprecipitate. Histologic analysis of a kidney biopsy specimen revealed features of crescentic and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. After HEV clearance, kidney and liver parameters improved and HEV RNA and cryoglobulinemia were undetectable. Hence, we conclude that HEV can cause severe kidney disease and should be considered in cases of unexplained glomerular disease.

Keywords: Hepatitis E virus (HEV); cryoglobulinemia; cryoprecipitate; immunocompetent; kidney biopsy; membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN); membrano-proliferative glomerulopathy; nephrotic syndrome; renal disease; viral RNA.