[Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia and the kidneys]

The authors describe their experience with the treatment of nine patients where "essential" mixed cryoglobulinaemia was diagnosed. In addition to extrarenal symptoms all suffered from proliferative glomerulonephritis, most frequently mesangiocapillary. The latter was manifested in most instances during the first examination by nephrotic syndrome and reduced glomerular filtration. Two patients had only asymptomatic proteinuria with erythrocyturia. The majority suffered from arterial hypertension. The patients were treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide, using initial doses after which the extrarenal symptoms receded promptly. Regression of proteinuria and normalization of glomerular filtration developed more slowly. Only in one patient the glomerulonephritis had a progressive course and terminated by chronic renal failure. One patient died from septicaemia and one from cardiac failure. The authors assume that early diagnosis and effective combined immunosuppression can ensure a favourable course of this rare disease.