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Mixed cryoglobulinemia and hepatitis C virus
P Cacoub1, F L Fabiani, L Musset
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
The American Journal of Medicine
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Approximately half of essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) patients tested positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, exhibiting more severe symptoms. HCV RNA was frequently detected in these patients, suggesting HCV’s role in MC development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is linked to liver disease and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- This study investigated HCV prevalence and clinical features in MC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine HCV marker prevalence in MC patients.
- To compare clinical, biological, and histological features between HCV-positive and HCV-negative MC patients.
Main Methods:
- 115 MC patients were assessed for anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA using ELISA, RIBA, and PCR.
- Clinical data and liver biopsy results were analyzed.
- Hepatitis B virus markers were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- 41% of MC patients tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies, with higher prevalence in essential MC (52%).
- HCV-positive essential MC patients showed more cutaneous involvement, elevated liver enzymes, and higher cryoglobulin levels.
- HCV RNA was detected in sera and cryoprecipitates of most HCV-positive patients, with higher concentration in cryoprecipitates.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C virus infection is a significant factor in essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.
- HCV-positive MC patients present with more severe clinical and biological manifestations.
- Many essential MC cases may be secondary to HCV infection.