Observations on cryoglobulin testing: II. The association of oligoclonal mixed cryoglobulinemia with cirrhosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a mixed cryoglobulin type correlated with cirrhosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).


METHODS
We investigated the results of mixed cryoglobulin tests performed in the clinical laboratory on patients with and without HCV infection.


RESULTS
A higher prevalence of oligoclonal cryoglobulins designated Type IIa was present in HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis than in those without cirrhosis.


CONCLUSIONS
An association of Type IIa cryoglobulins with cirrhosis in HCV-infected patients has not previously been reported.
De Rosa
Francesco G
FG
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA 01805, USA.
Abel
György
G
Agnello
Vincent
V
D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood
D003450:Cryoglobulins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor