The relationship between HBV antigens deposition in kidneys and renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy patients infected with HBV

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a risk factor for the progression of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. The effect of HBV antigens deposition in kidneys and treatment influencing HBV deposition requires further investigation. We analyzed 198 patients with IgAN, including 99 patients with HBV infection and 99 propensity score-matched patients without HBV infection. The primary outcome was a composite of 30% decrease in eGFR from the baseline, kidney failure and all-cause mortality. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the impact of both HBV positive in the serum and HBV antigens deposition in the kidneys on renal outcomes. Among 198 individuals, 27 primary composite outcome events were observed, of which 20 (20%) in the HBV positive group and seven (7%) were in the HBV-negative group. The former had a 2.72-fold increased risk of primary outcome events (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.22; 95% confidence interval: 0.89–5.53). HBV antigens deposition in kidneys increased the risk significantly after adjusting for confounders at the latest follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio: 7.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.00–56.04). Antiviral treatment did not influence the deposition of HBV antigens. HBV antigen deposition in the kidneys, compared with no deposition in the kidneys, was associated with a 7.49-fold increased risk of renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy.