Persistent herpes virus infections in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis

Virological studies of blood, urine, and saliva in 75 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) revealed that 95% had herpesvirus infections, caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 (34.4%) and 2 (2.6%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (12%) or mixed (HSV + CMV) infection (46%). In the control group, the children without renal diseases had the infection rate significantly less – 12% (HSV (9%) and CMV (3%). Most (94%) patients were found to have a diagnostically significant level of antiherpetic IgG antibodies, which also suggests chronic herpesvirus infection. Specific IgM antibodies were also detectable when the viruses were isolated.