Brachial paresis complicating acute non-A, non-B hepatitis

We report a case of right arm paresis in a parenteral drug addict suffering from acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. His hepatic and neurological symptoms developed together with high level of circulating immune complexes, complement activation, and false VDRL positivity. Immunological abnormalities normalized with the resolution of acute hepatitis and improvement of paresis. These results suggest that neurological dysfunctions may complicate non-A, non-B hepatitis. Moreover, we postulate an immune-mediated mechanism for neuropathy, via a neuropathic activity of circulating immune complexes.