[Cold urticaria associated with serologic markers of hepatitis B and cryoglobulinemia]

The acquired form of cold induced urticarial syndrome can be found associated with serum cryoproteins, in idiopathic form (generally IgE mediated) and transitory forms associated with other factors. The viral infections, specially infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis B can cause urticaria, mostly chronic, although infrequently produces cold urticaria. We present a case of a 13 year old patient with history suggestive of cold urticaria wherein we have found the existence of a mixed polyclonal cryoglobulinemia, IgG-IgA (exceptionally associated) and serologic markers of hepatitis B, HBsAb and HBsAb (the last being suggestive of a recent infection) 3 months from the urticaria, without recent or past history of hepatitis B infection. We also observed an elevated total serum IgE and peripheral blood eosinophilia. The provocation test presented an evolution similar to the cryoglobulinemia and markers of hepatitis B (after 18 months were negative) but serum IgE and eosinophilia remain elevated until the present time. All of this make us think that the patient could have suffered a subclinical form of hepatitis B which triggered off a cryoglobulinemia, presenting as cold urticaria.