Clinical relevance of serum cryoglobulins in hemophilic patients with hepatitis C virus infection.
Twenty-four hemophilic patients positive for hepatitis C virus were evaluated for the presence of serum cryoglobulins and associated symptoms. Eight (33.3%) of them had serum cryoglobulins (type II mixed cryoglobulinemia in all cases). The average time lapse between infection and appearance of serum cryoglobulins was 14.4 years (range 7-22 years). Two (25%) out of the 8 patients presented symptoms: one had systemic vasculitis, the other mild purpura. Hemophiliacs are a particularly suitable model for studying cryoglobulinemia in patients with hepatitis C virus infection since the onset of the infection is known and there is a long-term follow-up period.
Gandini
G
G
Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusione, Ospedale Policlinico di Verona.
Franchini
M
M
Capra
F
F
Aprili
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003450:Cryoglobulins