title: [Auto-immune serological disorders in chronic viral C hepatitis: prevalence and clinical significance].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mouelhi
authors.forename: Radhouane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debbeche
authors.forename: Imene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sfar
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Slim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouzaidi
authors.forename: Sinda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trabelsi
authors.forename: Yosr
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gorgi
authors.forename: Taoufik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Najjar
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies