More than 50% of patients suffering from hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy are reportedly phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) positive. There is ambiguity about membranous nephropathy being secondary to hepatitis B or coincidental in occurrence with hepatitis and PLA2R positive idiopathic MN. 

• The results of a retrospective study reported that compared with positive idiopathic MN patients, PLA2R positive HBV-MN patients have a better outcome as a result of antiviral therapy.
• This indicates that PLA2R positive HBV-MN is a secondary form of MN.

Reference: Chen R, Wang J, Xie Q, Zheng J, et al. Favorable outcome in PLA2R positive HBV-associated membranous nephropathy. BMC Nephrology. 2022; 23, Article number:246.