Mixed cryoglobulinemia and hepatitis C virus.
HCV appears to cause chiefly an asymptomatic chronic infection, which is nonetheless linked to a heightened prevalence of "essential" mixed cryoglobulinemia. The monoclonal rheumatoid factor occurring in the disease may result from chronic stimulation of the immune system, perhaps by the virus directly.
Agnello
V
V
Lahey Hitchcock Clinic, Burlington, Mass.
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis
D003450:Cryoglobulins; D016898:Interferon-alpha