[Mixed cryoglobulinemia]

Mixed cryoglobulinemia are divided in two types: type II is the association of polyclonal IgG and a monoclonal IgM and type III is the association of polyclonal IgG and polyclonal IgM. In 70 p. 100 of cryoglobulinemia, a cause may be found (hematologic, auto immune disorder, infections, hepatic disorders), in some cases the recognition of the cause is delayed. In 30 p. 100 of cases, no cause can be identified and the cryoglobulinemia is considered as essential. Main clinical finding are purpuric skin rash, urticaria, arthralgia, motor sensitive polyneuropathy, diffuse proliferative glomerulo nephritis. Biological signs associate anemia, rheumatoïd factor and hypocomplementemia. Mixed essential cryoglobulinemia (the Meltzer and Franklin syndrome) is characterized by a systemic vasculitis involving small and middle size vessels.