[Hematologic syndromes in hepatitis C virus infection]

HCV infection may affect not only the liver but also various nonhepatic tissues. This paper presents current information on association between HCV infection and haematological disorders. The pathogenic role of HCV in hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia development has not been confirmed. The thrombocytopenia has been observed more frequently during chronic hepatitis C than during infections with other hepatotropic viruses. This disorder may be associated with antiplatelet autoantibodies production. However the most common haematological complication of HCV infection is mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), observed in 40-50% of patients. In some subjects non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma (B-NHL) may evolve from MC, but it is also reported in acryoglobulinemic HCV infected patients. The frequency of HCV infection in population of patients with B-NHL exceeds 20% in some countries and it is significantly higher than for other lymphoproliferative disorders. There are also data suggesting that HCV may play a role in MALT lymphoma development, too. The observed disorders are explained by HCV lymphotropism and direct or indirect influence of continuous antigenic stimulation by replicating virus on lymphatic system. The paper presents also beneficial results of interferon treatment in patients with HCV-related MC or B-NHL. The authors show that haematological syndromes should be taken under account in diagnostics of hepatitis C patients and interferon treatment should be administered as soon as possible when HCV related cryoglobulinaemia is diagnosed.