Original Article Effect of combination therapy (ribavirin and interferon) in HCV-related glomerulopathy

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of acute and chronic hepatitis throughout the world. Several extrahepatic manifestations, including glom-erulonephritis, have been reported to be associated with this type of infection. Cryoglobulinaemic and non-cryoglobulinaemic membranoproliferative glom-erulonephritis (MPGN) and membranous nephropathy (MN) are the commonest lesions associated with HCV. Results of treatment of these patients with interferon therapy have been disappointing, since relapse of the viraemia and subsequent relapse of the renal disease are major problems. Combination of interferon with ribavirin in patients with chronic liver disease has been shown to increase the rate of sustained response