Antibodies against hepatitis C virus in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients.
The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in an unselected series of 45 mixed cryoglobulinemia patients was assessed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Chiron ELISA HCV, Second Generation). The anti-HCV specificity was evaluated by a recombinant based immunoblot assay (Chiron RIBA HCV, Second Generation Assay). HBV-related markers and HIVAb were detected in the same samples. The prevalence of anti-HCV observed in mixed cryoglobulinemia was compared with 80 patients with other immunological systemic diseases. Anti-HCV were found in 91% of mixed cryoglobulinemia patients, and confirmed by RIBA in all cases; on the other hand, anti-HCV were practically absent in other control diseases. HBV markers were recorded in 49% of mixed cryoglobulinemia subjects; while HIVAb were constantly absent. These data give us new insights into the etiopathogenesis of mixed cryoglobulinemia.
Ferri
C
C
Rheumatology Unit, Ospedale S. Chiara, Pisa, Italy.
Greco
F
F
Longombardo
G
G
Palla
P
P
Moretti
A
A
Marzo
E
E
Fosella
P V
PV
Pasero
G
G
Bombardieri
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies