HCV INFECTION AND PROTEINURIA IN EGYPT

Abstract

HCV infection in Egypt has been described as endemic or even hyperendemic, with parentral antischistosomal therapy probably having a maJor role. Several extrahepatic syndromes including different forms of glomerulopathy have been reported with chronic HCV infection.

This study aimed at exploring the possible assoCiation between HCV-infection and glomerular proteinuria among Egyptian patients and its real impact on the epidemiological as well as the etiologic map of glomerulonephritis in Egypt.

This study was conducted on 100 patients with primary glomerulopathy who were divided into 2 groups:

- Group I; HCV-Ab negative (40 patients)

- Group II; HCV-Ab positive (60 patients)

Renal biopsy was done to all patients, and biopsies were subjected to light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy when needed and immunohistochemical staining for HCV was done for 46 patients (27 patients with positive viraemia and 19 patients with negative viraemia).