Related Experiment Videos
HCV and monoclonal gammopathies
C Mussini1, M Ghini, M T Mascia
1Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università degli Studi di Modena, Italy.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is closely linked to monoclonal gammopathies with cryoglobulinemic activity. HCV antibodies were significantly more prevalent in patients with cryoglobulinemic activity, indicating a strong association.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Hematology
Background:
- Monoclonal gammopathies are associated with various conditions, including cryoglobulinemia.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a known trigger for cryoglobulinemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of HCV antibodies in patients with monoclonal gammopathies.
- To differentiate between monoclonal gammopathies with and without cryoglobulinemic activity in relation to HCV infection.
Main Methods:
- Study included 201 patients with monoclonal gammopathies, divided into groups with (n=94) and without (n=107) cryoglobulinemic activity.
- Cryoglobulins were analyzed using immunofixation.
- Hepatitis C virus antibodies (HCVAb) were detected via ELISA and RIBA; HCV presence in PBMCs was assessed by PCR in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- HCVAb prevalence (RIBA) was significantly higher in the cryoglobulinemic group (69.1%) compared to the non-cryoglobulinemic group (14.9%).
- Bone marrow histology in the cryoglobulinemic group often revealed nodular B-cell clonal expansion.
Conclusions:
- A strong correlation exists between HCV infection and monoclonal gammopathies with cryoglobulinemic activity.
- HCV-positive cryoglobulinemic gammopathies feature self-limiting IgM monoclonal expansion and specific bone marrow lymphoid nodule characteristics.