Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with subendothelial deposits (type 1) associated with hepatitis G virus infection in a renal transplant recipient

Background: Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a well-known etiology for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with subendothelial deposits (MPGN type 1). Material and Methods: The newly discovered hepatitis G virus (HGV) is currently under active investigation. We report the first case of de novo MPGN type 1 associated with HGV infection in a young male renal transplant recipient who manifested glomerulonephritis (GN) with proteinuria 7 years after transplant, and whose original disease was ch ron ic obstructive pyelonephritis secondary to nephrolithiasis. Results: Serum markers for HBV and HCV infections were negative. HGV infection was detected by specific double-nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in sera (positive HGV viremia) 2.5 years after renal transplantation. By specific in situ RT-PCR, the presence of the HGV genome was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in the kidney biopsy (glomeruli and tubules), but not in the liver. Conclusion: This report adds new information on the role of HGV infection in the occurrence of de novo GN (MPGN type 1) in renal transplantation.