[Association of nephrotic syndrome and Hodgkin's disease. Role of the Epstein-Barr virus].

The clinical association between glomerulonephrtis (GN) and malignant hematological disease is very rare. We report, in a 24 years old male, the occurrence of an apparently idiopathic nephrotic syndrome with minimal change glomerular lesions. This GN was in fact closely related to the progression of a stage 2A of Hodgkin's disease, following an infectious mononucleosis contracted one year ago. The nephrotic syndrome responded well to the therapy by Prednisone and Chlorambucil, and the complete remission persisted after eradication of Hodgkin's disease and despite early treatment discontinuation. Renal vein thrombosis, renal amyloidosis and renal interstitial infiltration with malignant cells were ruled out. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopy examination of the renal biopsies were consistent with, but not demonstrative of, an immune complex nephritis. Because of the chronological succession of infectious mononucleosis, Hodgkin's disease, and GN, we are stressing the possible oncogenic and immunogenic role of the Epstein-Barr virus.