Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type I, Mixed Cryoglobulinemia and Lymphoma in the Absence of Hepatitis C Infection

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection has been linked to cryoglobulinemia, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and malignant B-cell lymphoproliferation, suggesting a possible pathogenetic link between these disorders. We report a patient with the latter clinical triad in the absence of hepatitis C infection. We postulate that the persistent and dysregulated immunologic activity associated with chronic antigen stimulation, inflammation and/or B-cell malignancy induces nephritogenic autoantibodies, including cryoglobulins, that produce a similar clinical syndrome in genetically susceptible individuals.