Professional paper
Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis and Epstein-Barr Virus Co-Infection
Mirna Šubat-Dežulović
; Clinical Hospital Center, Children’s Hospital »Kantrida«, Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis, Rijeka, Croatia
Nada Sindičić Dessardo
; Clinical Hospital Center, Children’s Hospital »Kantrida«, Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis, Rijeka, Croatia
Matko Dežulović
; Clinical Hospital Center, Children’s Hospital »Kantrida«, Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis, Rijeka, Croatia
Sandro Dessardo
; Clinical Hospital Center, Children’s Hospital »Kantrida«, Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis, Rijeka, Croatia
Ita Hadžisejdić
; University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Rijeka, Croatia
Nada Brncic
; Department of Infectious Diseases, Rijeka University Hospital, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Contrary to group A b-hemolytic streptococcus as the most common cause of postinfectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is only occasionally associated with acute renal involvement. We describe an 11-year-old boy who presented with clinical signs of infective mononucleosis and acute glomerulonephritis characterized by edema, hypertension and dark colored urine with diminished renal function. Serology tests confirmed streptococcal infection and acute EBV infection. Persistently depressed C3 complement and gross hematuria indicated renal biopsy which shows PIGN-type picture and, in addition, acute interstitial nephritis, both conclusive of streptococcal infection. We performed tissue DNA extraction by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and demonstrated EBV-DNA from the kidney specimen supporting EBV involvement in renal tissue. This is the first reported case of PIGN with serologically-proven streptococcal and simultaneously, acute EBV co-infection. EBV-DNA extraction supported the EBV involvement in renal tissue suggesting that both etiologic agents might have contributed to renal inflammation. Adding serology evaluation for EBV in cases with typical clinical signs of infective mononucleosis and renal symptoms, EBV might be more commonly associated with PIGN than is currently appreciated.
Keywords
b hemolytic streptococcus; Epstein-Barr virus; interstitial nephritis; postinfectious glomerulonephritis
Hrčak ID:
51664
URI
Publication date:
20.4.2010.
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