title: Extrahepatic immunologic manifestations in chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis C virus serotypes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine, using a serotyping assay, whether the occurrence of extrahepatic immunologic disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis C is dependent on hepatitis C virus serotype.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Liver unit and virology laboratory of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  59 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatitis C virus serotype was determined using a recently developed immunoenzymatic assay that detects antibodies directed to serotype-specific immunodominant epitopes. Cryoglobulin, rheumatoid factor, and numerous antitissue antibodies were sought. Biopsies of labial salivary glands were done in 49 of the 59 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence was 59% for serotype 1, 10% for serotype 2, 12% for serotype 3, and 3% for mixed infection. Fifteen percent of patients could not be serotyped. Cryoglobulinemia was found in 36% of patients and rheumatoid factor was found in the serum of 71%. At least one antitissue antibody was found in the serum of 41% of patients; salivary gland biopsy showed lymphocytic capillaritis in 49% of patients. These immunologic abnormalities were seen in patients infected with any of the three serotypes, and prevalences of the abnormalities did not differ significantly among patients infected with different serotypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We confirm that the prevalence of extrahepatic immunologic abnormalities is high in patients with chronic hepatitis C. These abnormalities may occur in patients infected with any of the three major hepatitis C virus serotypes now present in developed countries.
authors: Université de Paris XII, Créteil, France.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Pawlotsky
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Roudot-Thoraval
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Simmonds
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Mellor
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Ben Yahia
authors: C
authors: C
authors: André
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Voisin
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Intrator
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Zafrani
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Duval
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Dhumeaux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000473:pathology; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor