The significance of cryoglobulinemia in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
Mixed cryoglobulinemia is frequently seen in liver disease and chronic viral hepatitis. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and clinical findings of cryoglobulins in patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
Cryoglobulins were precipitated from serum stored for up to 7 days. The precipitates were washed five times at 4 degrees C with 0.15 mol/L NaCl and total protein concentration was measured by reading absorbance at 280 nm.


RESULTS
The prevalence of cryoglobulinemia was higher in patients with hepatitis C than in patients with hepatitis B (16.6% and 4.6% respectively). Patients with cryoglobulinemia had several symptoms such as arthralgia and weakness.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryoglobulin-positive chronic hepatitis B and C patients should be investigated in terms of cryoglobulinemia symptoms and complications.
Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, Tuberculosis Reference and Research Laboratory, AB Blok Kat: 3 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. scesur89@yahoo.com
Salih
S
Cesur
Kemal
K
Akin
Halil
H
Kurt
D000328:Adult; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003450:Cryoglobulins