Cryofiltration and Oral Corticosteroids Provide Successful Treatment for an Elderly Patient with Cryoglobulinemic Glomerulonephritis Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Yasukiyo MORI; Noriko KISHIMOTO; Yoshihito IMAI; Yoko TANAKA; Atsuko FUJIYAMA; Yasunobu SHIBASAKI; Toshiko NAGATA; Hiroya MASAKI; Yukihisa UMEDA; Hiroaki MATSUBARA; Toshiji IWASAKA

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.39.564

Yasukiyo MORI, Noriko KISHIMOTO, Yoshihito IMAI, Yoko TANAKA, Atsuko FUJIYAMA, Yasunobu SHIBASAKI, Toshiko NAGATA, Hiroya MASAKI, Yukihisa UMEDA, Hiroaki MATSUBARA, Toshiji IWASAKA

Author information

Yasukiyo MORI
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Noriko KISHIMOTO
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Yoshihito IMAI
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Yoko TANAKA
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Atsuko FUJIYAMA
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Yasunobu SHIBASAKI
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Toshiko NAGATA
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Hiroya MASAKI
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Yukihisa UMEDA
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Hiroaki MATSUBARA
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University
Toshiji IWASAKA
the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University

Keywords: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, therapy, plasma apheresis

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2000 Volume 39 Issue 7 Pages 564-569

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.39.564

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Abstract

A 75-year-old man was admitted due to nephrotic syndrome, purpura on the legs, which was associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and type II mixed cryoglobulinemia. Renal biopsy revealed features of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Since the patient was elderly and the HCV genotype was Ib, interferon-alpha for reducing HCV was not indicated. Four sessions of cryofiltration and the administration of corticosteroids improved the proteinuria and renal function strikingly without adverse effects. This case demonstrates that an elderly patient who has nephrotic syndrome caused by cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis associated with HCV can be treated safely by cryofiltration with low doses of oral corticosteroids.
(Internal Medicine 39: 564-569, 2000)

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