Mixed cryoglobulinemia in HIV-1 infection: the role of HIV-1.
BACKGROUND
Cryoglobulins are associated with chronic infections.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of mixed cryoglobulinemia in patients with HIV-1 infection, the clinical spectrum of cryoglobulinemia in these patients, and the possible role of HIV-1 in cryoglobulin formation.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece.


METHODS
89 patients with HIV-1 infection.


METHODS
Serum and cryoglobulins were evaluated for antibodies to HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV-1, and HCV viral load.


RESULTS
Mixed cryoglobulins were detected in 24 patients with HIV-1 infection (27% [95% CI, 18% to 36%]). The HIV-1 viral load was higher in cryoglobulin-positive patients (median, 38.25 x 10(3) copies/mL [25th, 75th percentiles: 13.8 x 10(3) copies/mL, 78.55 x 10(3) copies/mL]) than in cryoglobulin-negative patients (median, 5.3 x 10(3) copies/mL [25th, 75th percentiles: 0.7 x 10(3) copies/mL, 27.2 x 10(3) copies/mL]) (P = 0.001). Antibodies to HIV were detected in all cryoprecipitates, and HIV-1 RNA sequences were identified in 22 of the 23 cryoprecipitates examined. Nine cryoglobulin-positive patients (38% [CI, 19% to 54%]) had clinical manifestations compatible with cryoglobulinemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Mixed cryoglobulinemia is common in patients with HIV-1 infection.
Department of Pathophysiology, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece.
A N
AN
Dimitrakopoulos
T
T
Kordossis
A
A
Hatzakis
H M
HM
Moutsopoulos
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral