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Prevalence of active hepatitis C virus infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

M Mubashir Ahmed1, Seth Mark Berney, Robert E Wolf

  • 1Center of Excellence for Arthritis and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, the Section of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130-3932, USA. mahmed3@lsuhsc.edu

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|May 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is more prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in the general population. Testing for HCV is recommended when SLE is suspected.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to autoimmune conditions.
  • HCV can present with symptoms mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  • Limited data exists on HCV prevalence in SLE patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of HCV viremia in SLE patients.
  • To compare HCV prevalence in SLE patients to control groups.

Main Methods:

  • Sera from 40 SLE patients (1993-2000) were tested for HCV viral load using PCR.
  • HCV prevalence was compared to local blood donors and the US general population.

Main Results:

  • HCV was detected in 10% (4/40) of SLE patients.
  • HCV prevalence in SLE patients was significantly higher than in local blood donors (0.13%) and the US general population (1.33%).

Conclusions:

  • Findings support an increased prevalence of HCV infection in SLE patients.
  • Further research into the association may elucidate SLE pathogenesis.
  • HCV screening is advised when considering an SLE diagnosis.
Abstract

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