Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.
BACKGROUND
An association between monoclonal gammopathies and chronic liver diseases has been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the possible association of monoclonal gammopathies with HCV genotypes.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Departments of internal medicine and hematology at two university hospitals in Italy.


METHODS
239 HCV-positive and 98 HCV-negative patients with chronic liver diseases were recruited consecutively.


METHODS
Clinical data were gathered, liver histologic examination was done, serum immunoglobulin and cryoglobulin levels were measured, and immunoelectrophoresis was done for monoclonal component detection. Patients with monoclonal gammopathy had serum HCV RNA measured and HCV genotype determined by polymerase chain reaction and had histologic examination of bone marrow.


RESULTS
Monoclonal band was detected in 11% of HCV-positive patients and in 1% of HCV-negative patients (P = 0.004). The prevalence of HCV genotype 2a/c was higher in patients with monoclonal gammopathies than in those without (50% compared with 18%; P = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease is striking and is often associated with genotype 2a/c infection.
Andreone
P
P
Università di Bologna and Policlinico S. Orsola, Italy. andreone@med.unibo.it
Zignego
A L
AL
Cursaro
C
C
Gramenzi
A
A
Gherlinzoni
F
F
Fiorino
S
S
Giannini
C
C
Boni
P
P
Sabattini
E
E
Pileri
S
S
Tura
S
S
Bernardi
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies