Persistent cryoglobulinemic vasculitis following successful treatment of hepatitis C virus.
There is a well established link between type II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and HCV is believed to be the cause of cryoprotein formation and tissue deposition. Successful treatment of HCV infection has resulted in resolution of cryoglobulinemia and vasculitis. We describe 4 patients who had persistent MC and vasculitis despite successful eradication of HCV with antiviral therapy.
Levine
James W
JW
Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Division, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
Gota
Carmen
C
Fessler
Barri J
BJ
Calabrese
Leonard H
LH
Cooper
Sheldon M
SM
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a