Free Small and IgG-Associated Large Hepatitis B e antigen in the Serum and Glomerular Capillary Walls of Two Patients with Membranous Glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Nephrotic syndrome developed in two children who carried hepatitis B virus. Both their serums contained hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Two physicochemically and immunologically different categories of HBeAg activity were identified in their serums — i.e., small molecular (free) and large molecular (associated with IgG). Their kidney-biopsy specimens disclosed pathologic changes typical of membranous glomerulonephritis. By a fluorescent-antibody technic, HBeAg was found to be deposited in diffuse granular fashion, along glomerular capillary walls, together with IgG and β1C, but no deposition of hepatitis B surface antigen was detected.