Polyarthritis associated with hepatitis C virus infection.
Two cases of polyarthritis associated with hepatitis C infection are reported. In Patient 1, stiffness and polyarthritis occurred during the acute stage of hepatitis. The arthritic symptoms lasted for 4 months. A transient polyarthritis recurred 4 yr later. The persistent presence of anti-hepatitis C viral antibodies was noted. Hepatitis C viral RNA (HCV RNA) was identified in the serum using the polymerase chain reaction proving that the patient was a carrier. In Patient 2, polyarthritis occurred associated with chronic hepatitis C liver disease. Synovial biopsy showed infiltration of mononuclear cells. HCV RNA was demonstrated in both serum and SF. These cases suggest an aetiologic association between arthritis and hepatitis C antigenaemia.
Ueno
Y
Y
Department of Medicine, Shichikawa Arthritis Research Centre, Mie, Japan.
Kinoshita
R
R
Kishimoto
I
I
Okamoto
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies