title: Effect of alpha-interferon on hepatitis C virus chronic infection in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients.
abstract: Since a striking association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and mixed cryoglobulinemia has been demonstrated, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) on HCV viraemia and clinico-serological manifestations of 15 patients (ten female and five male, mean [+/- SD] age 53 +/- 7 years). In 14/15 patients pre-study steroid dosage remained unchanged during treatment. alpha-IFN was administered at a dose of 2 x 10(6) IU daily for a month, then every other day for five months. On the whole, a statistically significant improvement of purpura (p < 0.001), serum transaminases (p < 0.001), and cryocrit (p < 0.01) was observed after alpha-IFN treatment. HCV viraemia was detected by polymerase chain reaction technique in 13/15 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and anti-GOR antibodies, expression of HCV-related autoimmunity, were present in 8/15. After alpha-IFN treatment, HCV RNA levels showed a clear-cut reduction in five persons and disappeared in another, while anti-HCV antibodies (Chiron ELISA and RIBA II) did not change after the six-month period of therapy. These data further support the possible etiopathogenetic role of HCV in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and suggest that alpha-IFN may be regarded as the elective treatment in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Longombardo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Civita
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lombardini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gentilini
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014766:Viremia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha