Prevalence of cryoglobulins and hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
In order to evaluate the prevalence of positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology and cryoglobulinemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the prevalence and the clinical significance of cryoglobulinemia were prospectively studied in a cohort of 86 HIV-infected subjects seen as outpatients. They were compared to a control group consisting of 101 HIV-HCV+ patients being followed at the same hospital.


RESULTS
HCV serology was positive in 53/86 (61.6%) patients, 25 (47.2%) of whom had detectable cryoglobulins in their sera although only 1 had clinical symptoms consistent with cryoglobulinemia. Cryoglobulinemia was also detected in 9/33 (27.3%) HCV- patients, with only one of them presenting clinical symptoms. Although the mean cryoglobulin concentration was lower for HIV+ patients than in controls (268 versus 585 mg/l, p < 0.01), their prevalence (39.5% and 27.2%, respectively) was higher (p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Cryoglobulinemia is frequently detected in HIV-infected patients, regardless of their HCV serology, but is poorly correlated with clinical symptoms.
Cohen
P
P
Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Avicenne, Université Paris-Nord, Bobigny, France.
Roulot
D
D
Ferrière
F
F
Nguyen
Q T
QT
Lortholary
O
O
Jarrousse
B
B
Dény
P
P
Coste
T
T
Robineau
M
M
Guillevin
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome