Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
13:01

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells

Published on: June 23, 2014

Hepatitis C virus-associated polyarteritis nodosa

D Saadoun1, B Terrier, O Semoun

  • 1Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.

Arthritis Care & Research
|October 29, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) presents more severely than other HCV vasculitis but achieves higher remission rates. This study analyzed 31 HCV-PAN patients, finding distinct clinical features and outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to various systemic vasculitides.
  • Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare but serious vasculitis that can be associated with HCV.
  • Understanding the specific characteristics of HCV-associated PAN is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) specifically related to hepatitis C virus (HCV).
  • To compare the features of HCV-PAN with other HCV-related vasculitides, such as mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis.
  • To identify factors associated with treatment response in HCV- vasculitis.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 31 patients with chronic HCV infection diagnosed with PAN between 1990 and 2009.
  • Patients met established criteria for PAN (ACR and Chapel Hill).
  • Comparison of clinical and laboratory data between HCV-PAN and HCV-mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis cohorts.

Main Results:

  • HCV-PAN constituted 19.3% of the HCV vasculitis cohort.
  • HCV-PAN patients exhibited more severe symptoms including fever, weight loss, severe hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, neuropathy, and microaneurysms.
  • Complete clinical remission was achieved in 79.3% of HCV-PAN patients, significantly higher than in HCV-MC patients (57.5%).
  • Skin involvement and PAN-type vasculitis were independently associated with complete clinical response.

Conclusions:

  • HCV-PAN represents a significant subset of HCV-related vasculitis with distinct clinical characteristics.
  • Despite a more severe presentation, HCV-PAN demonstrates a higher rate of complete clinical remission.
  • Early identification and management of factors like skin involvement are key for successful treatment outcomes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice09:03

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice

Published on: February 3, 2012

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats09:37

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Published on: August 1, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...