Fibrin ring granuloma in chronic hepatitis C: virus-related vasculitis and/or immune complex disease?
Fibrin ring granulomas are rare lesions whose pathophysiology has remained somewhat elusive. It has been suggested that these peculiar lesions are related to focal vasculitis with endothelial injury and deposition of immune complexes. Fibrin ring granulomas have been described in Q fever; in viral infections such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis A virus; and in other conditions. We submit the first reported case of fibrin ring granuloma in a patient with chronic hepatitis C infection, in whom other potential etiologies have been excluded, and offer a brief review of available literature on the pathogenesis of both conditions.
Glazer
Emily
E
Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York 10003, USA.
Ejaz
Asim
A
Coley
Curtis James
CJ
Bednarek
Karl
K
Theise
Neil D
ND
D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D006099:Granuloma / Q000821:virology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000821:virology*
D005337:Fibrin