[Extrahepatic manifestations in hepatitis C. Are they overlooked?].
BACKGROUND
There are accumulating documentation of autoimmune mediated extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection. The virus is hepatotrophic and lymphotrophic. It mutates frequently with subsequent inadequate immune response and chronic stimulation of T and B cells. This may be one explanation for the increased frequency of the autoimmune diseases associated with hepatitis C virus infection.


METHODS
In this review of the literature published in the period of 1990 to 2000, we present the most common extrahepatic manifestations of the hepatitis C virus infection.


RESULTS
Mixed cryoglobulinaemia, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and membranous glomerulonephritis are highly associated with hepatitis C infection. Other autoimmune diseases may also be associated with hepatitis C infection, but further documentation is necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection are associated with several autoimmune diseases. When diagnosing an autoimmune disease, a test for a coinfection of hepatitis C is highly recommended. Antiviral therapy with interferon may in some cases reduce the activity of the autoimmune disease.
Medisinsk avdeling Nordland Sentralsykehus 8092 Bodø. Gakristi@online.no
M G
MG
Kristiansen
J
J
Florholmen
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D005838:Genotype; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology