Hepatitis B virus-related nephropathy: Review and update

Viral-associated nephropathy indicates the direct pathogenic relationship between viral status and the development of nephropathy. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (especially chronic) causes different glomerular, tubular, and interstitium damages. Membranous and membranoproliferative are the common HBV-associated nephropathy. The pathogenesis of HBV-associated nephropathy is primarily immune complex mediated; however, direct tubular damage may occur. The virus load and activity are essential risk factors in HBV-associated nephropathy development. Decreasing virus load and early treatment reduce the risk of HBV-associated nephropathy and may prevent the disease progression. Prevention of HBV infection by a worldwide vaccination program governed by the World Health Organization is the prime target to prevent hepatic and extrahepatic HBV-related complications. The authors searched the EMBASE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Google search engines for articles about HBV-associated nephropathy using phrases, texts, and keywords such as chronic HBV infection and kidney, HBV-associated glomerulonephritis, nephritis in HBV infection, viral nephropathy, and HBV vaccination. Following multiple meetings and discussions, each author was given a section on the topic to search and summarize. Then, this narrative review manuscript has been written and revised to update HBV-associated nephropathy pathogenesis and treatment.