A Flare of Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis After COVID-19

Kenya Hamazaki1, Daichi Umemoto1, Tomohiro Asada1

  • 1General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital, Kobe, JPN.

Cureus
|July 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection triggered a severe flare of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) in an immunosuppressed patient. This case highlights the critical risk of severe COVID-19 exacerbating underlying autoimmune conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) is a systemic autoimmune condition.
  • Patients with CV often undergo immunosuppressive therapy, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections.
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can trigger inflammatory responses and disease flares in various autoimmune conditions.

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