Type 2 cryoglobulinemia and hepatitis C virus: its recognition and treatment.
Type 2 mixed cryoglobulinemia is a relatively common although rarely recognized consequence of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Its detection should be pursued in individuals with lower extremity vasculitis which occurs in association with other signs of systemic disease such as proteinuria or a peripheral neuropathy. Importantly, HCV-associated cryoglobulinemia can occur in individuals with clinical evidence for cryoglobulinemia but without any evidence of detectable liver injury. Two cases recently seen in Oklahoma demonstrating these points are reported.
Nadir
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A
Oklahoma Transplantation Institute, Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 73112.
Smith
J W
JW
Matter
B
B
Mask
D
D
Gilcher
R
R
Van Thiel
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D003450:Cryoglobulins; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins