Minimal-change nephropathy and chronic hepatitis C infection: coincidental or associated?

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a retrospective study of 8 cases

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with diverse glomerular diseases. Characteristics of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in this setting have been little studied, and the specific features of this uncommon association remain to be determined.

Methods

We conduct a retrospective study. Clinical, biological and pathological characteristics of patients with MCNS and HIV infection were assessed. We evaluated HIV infection by in situ hybridization and CMIP expression by immunochemistry on kidney biopsies and compared it to HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and idiopathic MCNS.

Results

Eight patients were identifies. In all but one of these cases, MCNS occurred after HIV diagnosis (mean of 9.5 years). Acute kidney injury was detected in three cases. Mean CD4⁺ lymphocyte count was 733/mm³ and three patients had a detectable HIV viral load. In situ hybridization for HIV-1 RNA detection yielded a positive signal in a few tubular cells in the renal parenchyma in two of four patients with HIV infection associated with MCNS. Podocytes of these patients presented strong positive immunostaining for CMIP (4/4). Three patients suffered steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, and another two patients had at least one relapse. Rituximab treatment was initiated in four cases. After a median follow-up of 20 months, all patients were in remission (complete in 5 cases).

Conclusions

In patients with MCNS occurring in a context of HIV infection, podocyte injury seems to be associated with CMIP induction rather than renal HIV infection but further studies are needed to determine the molecular link between these two conditions.

Transjugular renal biopsy in a case of nephrotic syndrome with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction

Renal biopsy in patients with nephrotic syndrome helps to establish the pathological diagnosis and subsequent treatment. In certain circumstances, biopsies are difficult to obtain because of the risk of bleeding. We report a case where renal biopsy was obtained through the transjugular route in a patient who had nephrotic syndrome with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction.

An unexpected presentation: minimal change disease in an adult with treatment-naïve hepatitis C

Minimal change disease is the most common glomerular disease affecting children; its prevalence among adults, however, is eclipsed by other glomerular pathologies. Each of these diseases has a number of classic associations, such as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with hepatitis C. We report the case of a middle-aged African-American male who presented with the nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure and was concomitantly diagnosed with a new hepatitis C infection. He also had a history of urethral strictures with potential reflux nephropathy, which--in combination with his African-American race--also made focal segmental glomerulosclerosis a diagnostic possibility. Full laboratory evaluation did not distinguish the cause of his massive proteinuria; subsequent renal biopsy ultimately revealed minimal change disease. A full course of high-dose steroids eventually reduced his proteinuria, after which his renal failure resolved as well without need for hemodialysis.