[Extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection]

Current data suggest that HCV infection should be regarded as a systemic infectious disease with multiorgan involvement. More than 50 % of HCV-positive patients develop during the course of the disease at least one extrahepatic manifestation (EHM). The EHMs are often the first and only clinical signs of a chronic hepatitis C. Evidence of HCV infection should always be sought out in cases of unspecific chronic fatigue and/or rheumatic, haematological, endocrine or dermatological disorders. Key pathogenetic factors for the development of EHM are undisputably the HCV lymphotropism and cryoglobulinaemia. Nevertheless, the exact pathogenesis of many EHM still remains unclear. The therapeutic approach to EHM should concentrate on the eradication of HCV. Antiviral therapy in the form of peg-interferon and ribavirin should be regarded as the first-line therapy. Viral response leads mostly to a consecutive clinical response. However, in the case of HCV-related cytopaenias or neuropathies, antiviral therapy may trigger an aggravation of these conditions. Thus, organ-involvement, severity and course of the EHM should be always taken into account when choosing the appropriate therapeutic strategy. Immunosuppressive drugs, plasmapheresis and lately rituximab are counted among therapies that can be applied complementarly or alternatively to the antiviral therapy.