Clinical and pathological characteristics of 5 children with HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN) mainly occurs in children. Patients with HBV-GN are frequently positive for serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), but they are rarely negative. Objective To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with HBV-GN who are serum HBsAg negative. Study design Five children with HBV-GN who are negative for HBsAg were included in this study. Their clinical and pathological characteristics were collected and analyzed. Results All 5 children presented with different levels of proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. Renal biopsies showed membranous nephropathy accompanied by HBsAg and/or HBcAg deposits in glomeruli in all of the children. Steroids and/or other immunosuppressants were administered in all cases without antiviral therapy during the early stages of treatment. Two children achieved complete remission but relapsed after the drugs were tapered down. The other 3 children were initially non-responsive but achieved remission after lamivudine was added. Conclusions Treatment of HBsAg-negative HBV-GN patients with immunosuppressants alone could not achieve satisfactory effects. Antiviral treatment is effective and may be necessary in this type of patient.