[Auto-immune serological disorders in chronic viral C hepatitis: prevalence and clinical significance].
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection has been shown to lead to auto-immune phenomena.


OBJECTIVE
We review the prevalence of serological auto-immune disorders associated to HCV infection and to clarify their clinical significance.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
The serological immune response to HCV infection may include the development of cryoglobulinemia, rheumatoid factor, anticardiolipin, antinuclear, anti-liver-kidney-microsome 1 and anti-smooth muscle antibodies. Serological auto-immune manifestations were explained by the lymphotropism of HCV and the polyclonal activation of B cells. Interferon-based treatment of HCV infection may precipitate or exacerbate the associated auto-immune disease.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with serological auto-immune disorders associated with HCV infection, a very careful analysis of clinical and biological features is needed. Application of classification criteria of systemic auto-immune diseases and testing more specific antibodies can resolve this point.
Mouelhi
Leila
L
Service de Gastro-entérologie, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis.
Debbeche
Radhouane
R
Sfar
Imene
I
Salem
Mohamed
M
Bouzaidi
Slim
S
Trabelsi
Sinda
S
Gorgi
Yosr
Y
Najjar
Taoufik
T
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence
D001323:Autoantibodies