American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume 52, Issue 2 , Pages 370-381, August 2008

Viral Nephropathies: Core Curriculum 2008

  • Jeffrey S. Berns, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Jeffrey S. Berns, MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Renal, Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, 1 Founders Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
  • ,
  • Roy D. Bloom, MD

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Renal, Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Received 20 August 2007; accepted 22 January 2008.

Article Outline

 

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Introduction 

Establishing a direct causative relationship between a virus and a specific kidney disease often is problematic. Documenting a pathogenetic role for a specific virus typically involves demonstration of viral antigens and host antibodies in blood and/or kidney tissue. Simply documenting a virus or viral particles in the kidney does not prove causation because viral particles may be present without clinical disease. Viruses are most specifically identified with glomerular diseases, but they also have been associated with the development of tubulointerstitial disease, vasculitis, and other renal manifestations. Some virus infections cause kidney diseases in individuals with previously normal immune systems or immune systems impaired as a result of the virus infection (ie, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), whereas others cause disease primarily in previously immunocompromised hosts, ie, as the result of transplant immunosuppression. Kidney disease can also occur indirectly as the result of systemic consequences of a virus infection, such as with hepatorenal syndrome, multiorgan failure caused by an overwhelming viral infection; rhabdomyolysis; or treatment of a virus infection.

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Mechanisms of Virus-Induced Kidney Injury 


I.Glomerulonephritis (GN)
A.Cytopathic effect of virus
1.Direct

2.Mediated through host inflammatory response and/or viral proteins
a)Necrosis, apoptosis

b)Cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules

c)Altered matrix synthesis and degradation



B.In situ immune complex formation
1.Host antibody binding to viral antigens that are bound to glomerular structures


C.Circulating immune complexes
1.Viral antigens and host antiviral antibody

2.Autoantibody directed against host antigens modified by viral injury



II.Tubulointerstitial nephritis
A.Direct cytopathic effect

B.Mediated through host inflammatory response and/or viral proteins


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Suggested Readings 


1.Lai AS, Lai KN: Viral nephropathy. Nat Clin Pract Nephrol 2:254-262, 2006

2.Faulhaber JR, Nelson PJ: Virus-induced cellular immune mechanisms of injury to the kidney. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2:S2-S5, 2007 (suppl 1)

3.Alpers CE, Kowalewska J: Emerging paradigms in the renal pathology of viral disease. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2:S6-S12, 2007 (supp1 l)

4.Kimmel PL, Moore A Jr: Viral glomerular diseases, in Schrier RW: Diseases of the Kidney and Urinary Tract. Philadelphia, PA, Kluwer-Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006, pp 1478-1510

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Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) 


I.Virology
A.Hepatotropic double-stranded DNA virus
1.Envelope polypeptide contains hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)

2.Inner core contains hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), e antigen (HBeAg), viral DNA, DNA polymerase, other proteins

3.Antibody response occurs with anti-HBsAg, anti-HBcAg, and anti-HBeAg antibodies



II.Epidemiological characteristics
A.Humans and nonhuman primates are only known hosts
1.Endemic in parts of Asia, Africa
a)Vertical transmission common


2.Less common in United States, Europe
a)Injection drug users

b)Sexual transmission

c)Vertical transmission

d)Blood transfusion




III.Renal manifestations
A.All are much less common than infection; suggests that important host immune system interaction with viral infection determines renal consequences

B.Membranous nephropathy
1.Membranous nephropathy most commonly reported in Far East, predominance in male children
a)Nephrotic or non-nephrotic proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, hypertension in about 25%, chronic kidney disease (CKD) unusual in children


2.Occurs in patients seropositive for HBsAg and antibody to HBcAg (HBcAb); most also seropositive for HBeAg; other serological patterns also seen, including rarely HBsAg negative with HBsAg in glomerulus

3.HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAg variably detected in glomerular basement membranes
a)Circulating immune complexes with HBsAg or HBeAg detected with variable frequency

b)Hypocomplementemia detected with variable frequency of up to about 65%

c)Most cases believed to be caused by trapping of circulating HBV antigens in the glomerular basement membrane with in situ immune complex formation with antibody to HBV antigen or host antigen(s) altered by HBV
(1)HBV antigens are not demonstrable in many cases; HBeAg most commonly detected HBV antigen in the glomerular basement membrane
(a)HBeAg is smaller than other HBV antigens; more likely to deposit in subepithelial location with membranous pattern of nephropathy

(b)HBsAg also common; HBcAg smaller minority of cases




4.Pathological characteristics
a)Subepithelial immune deposits; often also with subendothelial and/or mesangial deposits

b)Immunofluorescence positive for immunoglobulin G (IgG), C3, IgM; IgA less common

c)Electron microscopy (EM) shows viral-like particles in various locations; identity not clearly defined

d)Mesangial proliferative GN or IgA nephropathy may be superimposed

e)Combinations of membranous with IgA nephropathy or membranoproliferative GN not uncommon

f)Immune deposits with pathological changes of early membranous nephropathy or membranoproliferative GN can be seen in patients with acute and chronic HBV infection without overt clinical manifestations of kidney involvement


5.Resolution of glomerular disease may occur with loss of HBsAg or seroconversion to HBeAb-positive status

6.Treatment
a)Spontaneous remission rare in adults; common in children

b)Corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs
(1)Clinical response variable; persistent remission of nephritic syndrome is uncommon

(2)May increase viral replication and reduce clearance of HBsAg-positive status


c)Interferon alfa
1.Most experience in children

2.Variable responses; appears to increase complete and partial remission of nephritic syndrome and seroconversion of HBV antigenemia


d)Antiviral agents
(1)Lamivudine
(a)Anecdotal reports of improvement in proteinuria and renal outcomes

(b)Emergence of drug-resistant strains limits use


(2)Adefovir dipivoxil
(a)Unproven role; nephrotoxic





C.Other glomerular lesions
1.Mesangioproliferative GN
a)Prevalence not well defined

b)IgA-dominant GN can be seen with chronic HBV infection and other liver diseases


2.Membranoproliferative GN
a)Reported prevalence of chronic HBV infection varies

b)Typically presents with nephrotic syndrome, microscopic hematuria, hypertension, CKD

c)Usually with HBsAg and HBcAb; variable hypocomplementemia and circulating immune complexes

d)Pathology of type I membranoproliferative GN with subendothelial deposits; subendothelial and mesangial deposits may also be seen



D.Classic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)
1.Presents initially as serum-sickness–like illness with systemic vasculitis developing over subsequent weeks; most cases described in adults in United States and Europe

2.Seropositive for HBsAg or antibody to HBsAg (HBsAb); HBcAb
a)Usually occurs weeks to months after mild acute hepatitis, but may rarely precede acute hepatitis or occur years later in association with chronic active hepatitis


3.Microscopic hematuria, mild proteinuria, hypertension, acute renal failure
a)Renal manifestations caused by ischemia and infarction

b)Systemic manifestations include myalgia, palpable purpura, arthralgias, arthritis, livedo reticularis, polyneuropathy; virtually all organs may be involved


4.Renal pseudoaneurysms on angiography (renal, mesenteric, hepatic, and so on)
a)Rupture can lead to retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal hemorrhage


5.Pathophysiological mechanism believed to be related to circulating immune complexes of HBV-associated antigens (mostly HBsAg) with complement activating host immunoglobulin that deposits in blood vessel walls, synovium
a)Hypocomplementemia

b)Immune complexes in cryoprecipitates contain HBsAg, IgG anti-HBsAb, IgM

c)Spontaneous clearance of HBsAg associated with resolution of clinical manifestations

d)Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), mostly antimyeloperoxidase (anti-MPO), detected in about 10% of patients




IV.Renal pathological states
A.Classic PAN
1.Necrotizing vasculitis of small- to medium-sized arteries with focal transmural inflammation often at vessel branch points
a)Leukocyte infiltration, fibrinoid necrosis, fibrin deposition, aneurysm formation


2.Smaller vessels, including glomerular capillaries, are not involved in classic PAN
a)Microscopic polyangiitis (“microscopic PAN”) with focal segmental necrotizing GN very rare


3.Gross pathological characteristics
a)Nodular lesions along arteries, mostly at branch points of arcuate and interlobar arteries, because of pseudoaneurysms and inflammation

b)Infarction associated with arterial thrombus


4.Light microscopy
a)Transmural segmental fibrinoid necrosis


5.Treatment
a)Plasma exchange, corticosteroids, vidarabine, interferon



B.Serum-sickness–like syndrome
1.Fever, rash, arthralgias, arthritis

2.Rarely associated with transient proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, red blood cell casts, pyuria


C.Cryoglobulinemia
1.Link with HBV unproven



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Suggested Readings 


1.Johnson RJ, Couser WG: Hepatitis B infection and renal disease: Clinical, immunopathogenetic and therapeutic considerations. Kidney Int 37:663-676, 1990

2.Venkataseshan VS, Lieberman K, Kim DU, et al: Hepatitis-B-associated glomerulonephritis: Pathology, pathogenesis, and clinical course. Medicine (Baltimore) 69:200-216, 1990

3.Lai KN, Li PK, Lui SF, et al: Membranous nephropathy related to hepatitis B virus in adults. N Engl J Med 324:1457-1463, 1991

4.Conjeevaram HS, Hoofnagle JH, Austin HA, Park Y, Fried MW, Di Bisceglie AM: Long-term outcome of hepatitis B virus-related glomerulonephritis after therapy with interferon alfa. Gastroenterology 109:540-546, 1995

5.Tang S, Lai FM, Lui YH, et al: Lamivudine in hepatitis B-associated membranous nephropathy. Kidney Int 68:1750-1758, 2005

6.Fabrizi F, Dixit V, Martin P: Meta-analysis: Anti-viral therapy of hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 24:781-788, 2006

7.Tang S, Lai KN: Hepatitis B-related membranous nephropathy should be treated with a specific anti-viral agent. Kidney Int 70:818, 2006

8.Appel G: Viral infections and the kidney: HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Cleve Clin J Med 74:353-360, 2007

9.Zubkin M, Balakirev E, Chervinko V, et al: Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with lamivudine in renal transplant recipients. Int J Artif Organs 30:308-314, 2007

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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) 


I.Virology
A.Small single-stranded RNA virus
1.6 distinct genotypes


B.No HCV cell culture system available until recently

C.Studies rely on chimpanzee model

D.Immunologic basis for viral clearance and immunity not yet well defined

E.Primarily hepatotropic


II.Epidemiological characteristics
A.Blood-borne pathogen, endemic in most parts of the world
1.Global prevalence estimated to be 170 million individuals infected worldwide
a)Geographic variations in incidence and prevalence


2.Prevalence between 10% and 20% in dialysis units in the United States, with regional variation


B.Mechanisms of transmission
1.Blood transfusion or transplantation from unscreened donors

2.Shared needles
a)Intravenous drug use

b)Nosocomial through multidose vials in dialysis unit

c)Accidental needle stick


3.Perinatal transmission in about 6%


C.Since the introduction of blood donor screening, transmission by blood transfusion is very rare (∼1 in 1 million)

D.Acute HCV infection is usually mild and frequently leads to chronic infection

E.Major complications:
1.Chronic liver disease (cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma)

2.Increased association with diabetes

3.Increased mortality in patients with CKD stage 5



III.Renal manifestations
A.Associated with proteinuria/albuminuria in population-based studies

B.Membranoproliferative GN
1.Frequently associated with cryoglobulinemia


C.Mixed cryoglobulinemia
1.90% of afflicted patients are positive for HCV

2.Proteinuria

3.Microscopic hematuria

4.Impaired kidney function


D.Other forms of glomerular injury are uncommon, but include:
1.IgA nephropathy

2.Membranous nephropathy

3.Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

4.Postinfectious GN

5.Immunotactoid glomerulopathy

6.Fibrillary GN


E.Post–kidney transplantation
1.Increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection

2.Recurrent membranoproliferative GN

3.Increased risk of proteinuria, new-onset diabetes, graft dysfunction, and mortality



IV.Renal pathological characteristics
A.Membranoproliferative GN
1.Lobulation of tufts

2.Splitting of capillary basement membrane

3.Capillary endothelial swelling

4.Mesangial hypercellularity

5.Inflammatory infiltrate in glomerular capillaries with mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes


B.Immune complex deposition in glomeruli
1.Usually subendothelial by using EM

2.Deposition of IgM, IgG, and C3



V.Diagnostic testing
A.Enzyme immunoassay for anti-HCV antibody (third generation)

B.Nucleic acid testing (qualitative or quantitative HCV RNA)

C.Complement levels useful

D.Circulating cryoglobulins

E.Kidney biopsy if active sediment or significant proteinuria

F.Before kidney transplantation
1.Liver injury panel

2.Liver biopsy for patients with detectable viremia



VI.Treatment
A.Interferon alfa or pegylated interferon
1.Half-life increases with diminished kidney function
a.Dose reduction usually required with CKD


2.May trigger rejection when used in the kidney transplant setting


B.Ribavirin
1.Usually as adjunctive therapy for interferon

2.Half-life increases with diminished kidney function
a.Dose reduction or avoidance required with CKD



C.Corticosteroids, cytotoxic therapy, and plasmapheresis for patients with systemic vasculitis


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Suggested Readings 


1.D'Amico G: Renal involvement in hepatitis C infection: Cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Kidney Int 54:650-671, 1998

2.Morales JM, Campistol JM: Transplantation in the patient with hepatitis C. J Am Soc Nephrol 11:1343-1353, 2000

3.Bruchfeld A, Lindahl K, Schvarcz R, Stahle L: Dosage of ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C should be based on renal function: A population pharmacokinetic analysis. Ther Drug Monit 24:701-708, 2002

4.Bloom RD, Rao V, Weng F, Grossman RA, Cohen D, Mange KC: Association of hepatitis C with posttransplant diabetes in renal transplant patients on tacrolimus. J Am Soc Nephrol 13:1374-1380, 2002

5.Abbott KC, Bucci JR, Matsumoto CS, et al: Hepatitis C and renal transplantation in the era of modern immunosuppression. J Am Soc Nephrol 14:2908-2918, 2003

6.Meyers CM, Seeff LB, Stehman-Breen CO, Hoofnagle JH: Hepatitis C and renal disease: An update. Am J Kidney Dis 42:631-657, 2003

7.Cruzado JM, Casanovas-Taltavull T, Torras J, Baliellas C, Gil-Vernet S, Grinyo JM: Pretransplant interferon prevents hepatitis C virus-associated glomerulonephritis in renal allografts by HCV-RNA clearance. Am J Transplant 3:357-360, 2003

8.Kamar N, Rostaing L, Alric L: Treatment of hepatitis C-virus-related glomerulonephritis. Kidney Int 69:436-439, 2006

9.Bloom RD, Lake JR: Emerging issues in hepatitis C virus-positive liver and kidney transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 6:2232-2237, 2006

10.Tsui JI, Vittinghoff E, Shlipak MG, O'Hare AM: Relationship between hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Am Soc Nephrol 17:1168-1174, 2006

11.Fabrizi F, Bruchfeld A, Mangano S, Dixit V, Messa P, Martin P: Interferon therapy for HCV-associated glomerulonephritis: Meta-analysis of controlled trials. Int J Artif Organs 30:212-219, 2007

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 


I.Virology
A.RNA retrovirus; transcribed to proviral DNA by viral reverse transcriptase, then to viral RNA by host RNA polymerase

B.Frequently mutates, allowing virus to resist host immunity and antiviral agents


II.Renal manifestations
A.HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN)
1.Clinical manifestations
a)Typically presents with variable proteinuria, including microalbuminuria; often nephrotic-range proteinuria with nephrotic syndrome

b)Hypertension relatively uncommon (∼20% to 40%)

c)CKD common at presentation
(1)Rapid progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD); often in less than 6 months

(2)Course appears to be slowed and survival prolonged with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)


d)CD4 count usually low, but may present at any stage of HIV infection, often without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

e)Renal ultrasound typically shows normal- to large-sized kidney with markedly increased echogenicity


2.Epidemiological characteristics
a)Third leading cause of ESRD in US African American adults

b)Rare in non–African Americans

c)Occurs in all age groups, including children; not specifically associated with a particular route of HIV acquisition


3.Pathophysiological characteristics
a)HIV infects podocytes and tubular epithelial cells

b)Expression of specific HIV genes causes similar lesion in transgenic animal models, ie, nef and vpr, without systemic infection or immunodeficiency

c)Infection induces podocyte cell-cycle dysregulation and proliferation, loss of podocyte morphological features and differentiation markers, expression of immature podocyte markers

d)Mechanism of viral entry into renal cells uncertain

e)Cytokine activation proposed, but unproven


4.Pathological characteristics (Figure 1, Figure 2)
a)FSGS with global or segmental tuft collapse
(1)EM: glomerular collapse, glomerular basement membrane wrinkling, sclerosis
(a)Immune deposits minimal

(b)Tubuloreticular inclusions (“interferon footprints”) common in glomerular and vascular endothelial and other cells

(c)Nuclear bodies in tubular and interstitial cells



b)Podocyte hyperplasia and proliferation

c)Tubular epithelium flattened, atrophic; formation of microcysts from dilated tubules with proteinaceous cast material

d)Interstitial edema and mononuclear (lymphocytic) infiltrate

  • View full-size image.
  • Figure 1. 

    Human immunodeficiency virus–associated nephropathy with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, areas of tubulointerstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy, and dilated tubules with proteinaceous casts. (Original magnification ×10.) (Courtesy of Dr John Tomaszewski, Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.)

  • View full-size image.
  • Figure 2. 

    Human immunodeficiency virus–associated nephropathy with collapsing glomerulosclerosis. (Trichrome methenamine silver stain.) (Courtesy of Dr John Tomaszewski, Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.)


5.Treatment
a)Corticosteroids
(1)Benefit suggested in uncontrolled studies

(2)May increase risk of opportunistic infection, especially if not on HAART


b)ACE inhibitors and ARBs

c)HAART
(1)Benefit suggested by isolated reports of clinical and pathological improvement with HAART and retrospective cohort studies; no large-scale controlled trials

(2)Complicated by nephrotoxicity of some antiretroviral agents (Table 1)
Table 1. Renal Toxicities of Antiretroviral Agents
Drug ClassDrugRenal Toxicity
Nucleotide/nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitorClass effectLactic acidosis, proximal tubule dysfunction, Fanconi syndrome, AKI
TenofovirDistal RTA
AbacavirAIN (rare)
Didanosine, stavudine, lamivudineNephrogenic diabetes insipidus (rare)
Protease inhibitorIndinavirCrystalluria, nephrolithiasis, obstructive uropathy, AIN, hypertension, AIN, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (rare)
Nelfinavir, saquinavirNephrolithiasis (rare)
RitonavirAKI (rare)

Abbreviations: AKI, acute kidney injury; RTA, renal tubular acidosis; AIN, acute interstitial nephritis.


(3)Increased survival of HAART-treated HIV-infected patients expected to increase number of patients with CKD and ESRD


d)Transplantation
(1)Generally performed by experimental protocol

(2)Requirements
(a)Life expectancy longer than 5 years

(b)No detectable HIV viremia

(c)CD4 count greater than 200/μL

(d)No history of opportunistic infections or cancer


(3)Immunosuppression
(a)Increased risk of infection with depleting antibody therapies

(b)Calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolite therapies, and tapering steroid dosages appear to be tolerated

(c)Antiretroviral therapies interact with calcineurin inhibitors


(4)Outcomes
(a)Short-term patient and graft outcomes are good

(b)HIV-infected kidney recipients have increased rates of acute rejection compared with uninfected counterparts

(c)Patients coinfected with HCV may do worse





B.Other renal disorders associated with HIV infection
1.Epidemiology
a)Occur in all racial/ethnic groups

b)Accounts for greater percentage of kidney disease in white and Hispanic populations compared with HIVAN


2.Clinical manifestations
a)Varies; proteinuria, hematuria, acute kidney injury (AKI), CKD


3.Pathological states
a)Membranoproliferative GN

b)IgA nephropathy

c)Others: minimal change, membranous, amyloidosis, lupus-like acute GN, postinfectious GN, interstitial nephritis, acute tubular necrosis




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Suggested Readings 


1.Szczech LA, Edwards LJ, Sanders LL, et al: Protease inhibitors are associated with a slowed progression of HIV-related renal diseases. Clin Nephrol 57:336-341, 2002

2.Kimmel PL, Barisoni L, Kopp JB: Pathogenesis and treatment of HIV-associated renal diseases: Lessons from clinical and animal studies, molecular pathologic correlations, and genetic investigations. Ann Intern Med 139:214-226, 2003

3.Wei A, Burns GC, Williams BA, Mohammed NB, Visintainer P, Sivak SL: Long-term renal survival in HIV-associated nephropathy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Kidney Int 64:1462-1471, 2003

4.Becker S, Fusco G, Fusco J, et al: HIV-Associated thrombotic microangiopathy in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: An observational study. Clin Infect Dis 39:S267-S275, 2004 (suppl 5)

5.Lucas GM, Eustace JA, Sozio S, Mentari EK, Appiah KA, Moore RD: Highly active antiretroviral therapy and the incidence of HIV-1-associated nephropathy: A 12-year cohort study. AIDS 18:541-546, 2004

6.Szczech LA, Gupta SK, Habash R, et al: The clinical epidemiology and course of the spectrum of renal diseases associated with HIV infection. Kidney Int 66:1145-1152, 2004

7.Izzedine H, Launay-Vacher V, Deray G: Antiviral drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Am J Kidney Dis 45:804-817, 2005

8.Kumar MS, Sierka DR, Damask AM, et al: Safety and success of kidney transplantation and concomitant immunosuppression in HIV-positive patients. Kidney Int 67:1622-1629, 2005

9.Berns JS, Kasbekar N: Highly active antiretroviral therapy and the kidney: An update on antiretroviral medications for nephrologists. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 1:117-129, 2006

10.Wyatt CM, Klotman PE: HIV-Associated nephropathy in the era of antiretroviral therapy. Am J Med 120:488-492, 2007

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Parvovirus B19 


I.Direct causation of kidney disease not definite

II.Virology
A.Single-stranded DNA virus

B.Humans are only known host
1.Highly trophic for erythroid progenitor cells



III.Epidemiological characteristics
A.Asymptomatic infection common in childhood and adulthood
1.Inhalation of aerosol droplets most common

2.Vertical transmission, blood products, bone marrow and solid-organ transplantation



IV.Renal manifestations
A.Acute GN
1.Nephritic features with hypocomplementemia
a)May follow prodrome with rash, fever, arthritis

b)Most patients with spontaneous recovery
(1)Some with persistent proteinuria, CKD




B.Nephrotic syndrome
1.Associated with aplastic crisis in sickle cell disease

2.Hematuria and other nephritic features also present
a)Chronic sequelae with persistent proteinuria, CKD common


3.Renal transplant dysfunction, acute rejection
a)Symptomatic infection may occur posttransplantation
(1)Acute and chronic red blood cell aplasia most common

(2)May present with collapsing FSGS, thrombotic microangiopathy


b)Causal link with acute rejection and chronic allograft dysfunction not definite
(1)May be transient AKI associated with acute infection



4.Less common associations: thrombotic microangiopathy, hemolytic uremic syndrome, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, microscopic polyarteritis, Wegener granulomatosus



V.Renal pathological characteristics
A.Endocapillary or mesangial proliferation
1.Subendothelial deposits; C3 and IgG in mesangium and capillary walls


B.FSGS

C.Collapsing glomerulopathy

D.Viral antigens and genome detectable in glomeruli (podocytes, parietal epithelial cells)
1.Tubular reticular inclusions

2.Intact virions have not been detected in kidney tissues



VI.Diagnostic testing
A.Serological testing not helpful

B.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for viral DNA in blood, tissues


VII.Treatment
A.No antiviral therapy

B.Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) used for aplastic disease


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Suggested Readings 


1.Marchand S, Tchernia G, Hiesse C, et al: Human parvovirus B19 infection in organ transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 13:17-24, 1999

2.Zolnourian ZR, Curran MD, Rima BK, Coyle PV, O'Neill HJ, Middleton D: Parvovirus B19 in kidney transplant patients. Transplantation 69:2198-2202, 2000

3.Mori Y, Yamashita H, Umeda Y, et al: Association of parvovirus B19 infection with acute glomerulonephritis in healthy adults: Case report and review of the literature. Clin Nephrol 57:69-73, 2002

4.Ieiri N, Hotta O, Taguma Y: Characteristics of acute glomerulonephritis associated with human parvovirus B19 infection. Clin Nephrol 64:249-257, 2005

5.Ki CS, Kim IS, Kim JW, et al: Incidence and clinical significance of human parvovirus B19 infection in kidney transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 19:751-755, 2005

6.Waldman M, Kopp JB: Parovirus B19 and the kidney. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2:S47-S56, 2007 (suppl 1)

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Polyomavirus 


I.Kidney disease most commonly occurs in renal allograft recipients

II.Three known human polyomaviruses
A.BK virus (BKV)

B.JC virus (JCV)

C.Simian Virus 40 (SV40)


III.Virological characteristics
A.Nonenveloped double-stranded DNA virus

B.Humans are natural hosts

C.Virus may establish latent or lytic infection

D.JCV resides in uroepithelium and rarely causes nephropathy


IV.Epidemiological characteristics
A.BKV is acquired during childhood
1.Fecal-oral or respiratory route

2.May be transmitted from donor tissue


B.BKV is by far the most common polyomavirus that causes kidney disease; JCV and SV40 infection seldom associated

C.60% to 80% of recipients are BKV seropositive before transplantation

D.BKV-specific antibodies do not prevent posttransplantation infection

E.BKV replicates during states of immunosuppression

F.Reactivation leads to cell-to-cell spread

G.BKV infection progresses through viruria to viremia and then nephropathy
1.BK viremia occurs in up to 13% of kidney recipients

2.BK nephropathy occurs in up to 8% of kidney recipients



V.Renal manifestations
A.Tubulointerstitial nephritis
1.BKV nephropathy is unusual in the absence of viremia

2.Appears to be related to net state of immunosuppression

3.Patients typically are asymptomatic

4.Present with worsening kidney function

5.Results in worsening chronic graft dysfunction, especially if untreated or treatment is initiated late in the course

6.Rare in nonkidney organ recipients



VI.Renal pathological characteristics (Fig 3)
A.Intranuclear viral “inclusion bodies” in epithelial cells of cortex and/or medulla are pathognomonic

B.Three histological patterns:
1.Pattern A: viral cytopathic changes with minimal inflammation or tubular atrophy (early disease)

2.Pattern B: viral cytopathic changes with varying inflammation, tubular atrophy, or interstitial fibrosis

3.Pattern C: less prominent cytopathic changes, more extensive tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis (late disease)


C.May coexist with acute rejection and be difficult to differentiate histologically, helpful adjunctive testing includes:
1.Negative C4d staining

2.Absence of arteritis

3.Positive serum and urine virological study results


D.Concomitant histological changes include:
1.Glomerular crescents

2.Calcineurin-inhibitor toxicity

3.Plasma cell infiltration


  • View full-size image.
  • Figure 3. 

    Histological features of viral cytopathy in a kidney recipient with BK virus nephropathy, including tubules containing epithelial cells with nuclear enlargement and granular intranuclear inclusions (arrows). Surrounding tubules show some degenerative changes and sloughing. (Courtesy of Dr John Tomaszewski, Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.)


VII.Diagnostic testing
A.Transplant kidney biopsy is “gold standard”

B.Viral DNA testing by PCR of blood and urine

C.Urine cytology; presence of decoy cells

D.Urine EM for viral particles

E.Urinary studies lack specificity

F.Routine screening for viremia may lead to early detection and prevention of clinically significant nephropathy


VIII.Treatment
A.Reduction in immunosuppression is primary approach
1.Often ineffective after advanced histological injury or allograft dysfunction has developed

2.Requires monitoring for clearance of viremia by BKV PCR


B.Because immunosuppression reduction may precipitate rejection, an individualized approach is needed

C.Several adjuvant antiviral therapies have been used; however, overall efficacy and benefit not clearly established
1.Cidofovir

2.Quinolones

3.IVIG


D.Retransplantation of patients with BK nephropathy in prior transplant
1.Safe in the absence of active viremia

2.BKV monitoring required after transplantation



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Selected Readings 


1.Nickeleit V, Klimkait T, Binet IF, et al: Testing for polyomavirus type BK DNA in plasma to identify renal-allograft recipients with viral nephropathy. N Engl J Med 342:1309-1315, 2000

2.Randhawa PS, Demetris AJ: Nephropathy due to polyomavirus type BK. N Engl J Med 342:1361-1363, 2000

3.Hirsch HH, Knowles W, Dickenmann M, et al: Prospective study of polyomavirus type BK replication and nephropathy in renal-transplant recipients. N Engl J Med 347:488-496, 2002

4.Williams JW, Javaid B, Kadambi PV, et al: Leflunomide for polyomavirus type BK nephropathy. N Engl J Med 352:1157-1158, 2005

5.Bressollette-Bodin C, Coste-Burel M, Hourmant M, Sebille V, Andre-Garnier E, Imbert-Marcille BM: A prospective longitudinal study of BK virus infection in 104 renal transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 5:1926-1933, 2005

6.Brennan DC, Agha I, Bohl DL, et al: Incidence of BK with tacrolimus versus cyclosporine and impact of preemptive immunosuppression reduction. Am J Transplant 5:582-594, 2005

7.Josephson MA, Gillen D, Javaid B, et al: Treatment of renal allograft polyoma BK virus infection with leflunomide. Transplantation 81:704-710, 2006

8.Randhawa P, Brennan DC: BK virus infection in transplant recipients: An overview and update. Am J Transplant 6:2000-2005, 2006

Several other viruses can be associated with a variety of renal manifestations (Table 2).

Table 2. Renal Manifestations of Other Viruses
VirusPrimary Clinical ManifestationsHistopathologic Features
CytomegalovirusSystemic infection in immunocompromised host with fever, malaise, arthralgias, bone marrow suppression, hepatitis, colitis, and so on; renal allograft dysfunction with AKI, volume contraction, thrombotic microangiopathy, transplant glomerulopathy, glomerulonephritisViral intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions in tubular, endothelial, urothelial cells; AIN uncommon; acute GN with glomerular viral inclusions rare
EBVMajor cause of PTLD; rare cause of AIN, acute GN, AKI with primary EBV infectionPTLD with interstitial infiltrate with atypical lymphoid cells, plasma cells with nuclear atypia in some cases, tubulitis and venulitis may mimic acute rejection; CD20+ B cells
HantavirusHemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome or nephropathia epidemica: febrile multisystem acute illness; hematuria, proteinuria, oliguric AKIAIN with hemorrhage, inflammatory infiltrate; ATN; mesangial hypercellularity, expansion
Hepatitis AKidney disease mostly with fulminant hepatitis and hepatorenal syndrome or AKI with ATN; proteinuria, microscopic hematuriaAIN with lymphocytic infiltrate; mesangial proliferative GN with subendothelial and mesangial deposits; may be IgA, IgG, or IgG dominant or codominant with C3 and/or C1q
AdenovirusAKI, hemorrhagic cystitis; typically in immunocom-promised host (renal transplant, HIV infected)AIN with hemorrhage, ATN, intranuclear inclusions, “smudge cells” in tubular epithelial cells
MumpsAKI, proteinuria, microscopic hematuria; prenrenal azotemia caused by mumps myocarditis; acute hemolysis and hemoglobinuric AKIAIN with mononuclear infiltrate, mesangial proliferative GN with IgA, IgM, C3
MeaslesOliguric AKIAIN, proliferative GN
Dengue feverAKI with ATN caused by shock and multiorgan failure, rhabdomyolysis, hemolysis with hemoglobinuria, proteinuria, thrombotic microangiopathyATN, mesangial hyperplasia

Abbreviations: AKI, acute kidney injury; AIN, acute interstitial nephritis; PTLD, posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder; ATN, acute tubular necrosis; GN, glomerulonephritis; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; IgA, immunoglobulin A.

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Acknowledgements 

Support: None.

Financial Disclosure: None.

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Suggested Readings 

    Cytomegalovirus
  1. Brennan DC. Cytomegalovirus in renal transplantation. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2001;12:848–855
  2. Sagedal S, Hartmann A, Nordal KP, et al. Impact of early cytomegalovirus infection and disease on long-term recipient and kidney graft survival. Kidney Int. 2004;66:329–337
  3. von Muller L, Schliep C, Storck M, et al. Severe graft rejection, increased immunosuppression, and active CMV infection in renal transplantation. J Med Virol. 2006;78:394–399
    Epstein-Barr Virus
  1. Tsai DE, Nearey M, Hardy CL, et al. Use of EBV PCR for the diagnosis and monitoring of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in adult solid organ transplant patients. Am J Transplant. 2002;2:946–954
  2. Jain AB, Marcos A, Pokharna R, et al. Rituximab (chimeric anti-CD20 antibody) for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder after solid organ transplantation in adults: Long-term experience from a single center. Transplantation. 2005;80:1692–1698
  3. Trofe J, Buell JF, Beebe TM, et al. Analysis of factors that influence survival with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in renal transplant recipients: The Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry experience. Am J Transplant. 2005;5:775–780
    Hantavirus
  1. Papadimitriou M. Hantavirus nephropathy. Kidney Int. 1995;48:887–902
  2. Muranyi W, Bahr U, Zeier M, van der Woude FJ. Hantavirus infection. J Am Soc Nephro. 2005;16:3669–3679
    Hepatitis A Virus
  1. Jamil SM, Massry SG. Acute anuric renal failure in nonfulminant hepatitis A infection. Am J Nephrol. 1998;18:329–332
    Adenovirus
  1. Koga S, Shindo K, Matsuya F, Hori T, Kanda S, Kanetake H. Acute hemorrhagic cystitis caused by adenovirus following renal transplantation: Review of the literature. J Urol. 1993;149:838–839
  2. Bruno B, Zager RA, Boeckh MJ, et al. Adenovirus nephritis in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Transplantation. 2004;77:1049–1057

PII: S0272-6386(08)00858-5

doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2008.01.036

Refers to erratum:

  • Erratum

    American Journal of Kidney Diseases September 2008 (Vol. 52, Issue 3, Page 634)

American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume 52, Issue 2 , Pages 370-381, August 2008