title: Antibodies against hepatitis C virus in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Ospedale S. Chiara, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Longombardo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Fosella
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasero
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bombardieri
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies