Transient symptomatic cryoglobulinemia in gram-negative bacteria infections.
Mixed polyclonal cryoglobulinemia was observed in seven patients suffering from severe gram-negative bacterial infections and/or septicaemias and presenting with arthralgia and purpuric manifestations on admission. Cryoglobulins disappeared after recovery from infection in all of them and were never found during a longterm follow-up. In our opinion, gram-negative bacteria may induce the synthesis of cryoglobulins via a non-specific T-independent B-cell stimulation triggered by cell-wall lipopolysaccharides. This kind of infections, especially if chronic or relapsing, might play a role in the aetiology of some so-called essential mixed cryoglobulinemias.
D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011693:Purpura / Q000150:complications
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007136:Immunoglobulins