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[Extrahepatic manifestations in hepatitis C. Are they overlooked?]
M G Kristiansen1, J Florholmen
1Medisinsk avdeling Nordland Sentralsykehus 8092 Bodø. Gakristi@online.no
Background:
There are accumulating documentation of autoimmune mediated extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection. The virus is hepatotrophic and lymphotrophic. It mutates frequently with subsequent inadequate immune response and chronic stimulation of T and B cells. This may be one explanation for the increased frequency of the autoimmune diseases associated with hepatitis C virus infection.
Material And Methods:
In this review of the literature published in the period of 1990 to 2000, we present the most common extrahepatic manifestations of the hepatitis C virus infection.
Results:
Mixed cryoglobulinaemia, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and membranous glomerulonephritis are highly associated with hepatitis C infection. Other autoimmune diseases may also be associated with hepatitis C infection, but further documentation is necessary.
Interpretation:
Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection are associated with several autoimmune diseases. When diagnosing an autoimmune disease, a test for a coinfection of hepatitis C is highly recommended. Antiviral therapy with interferon may in some cases reduce the activity of the autoimmune disease.