title: Safety and efficacy of rituximab treatment for vasculitis in hepatitis B virus-associated type II cryoglobulinemia: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic B-cell depletion and clinical remission of the systemic effects of cryoglobulins have already been achieved using rituximab in hepatitis C virus-positive immunocompetent patients. Conversely, to the best of our knowledge there are no reports in the literature regarding the use of rituximab in hepatitis B virus-associated cryoglobulinemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report here the case of a 60-year-old Caucasian man who presented with hepatitis B virus-associated type II cryoglobulinemia with severe multisystem disease, including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with acute renal failure. The vasculitis was refractory to conventional and antiviral therapy but rituximab use led to a fall in cryoglobulin levels and disease control. The B-cell depletion was safe and efficient to induce a complete remission of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our case highlights the benefit and the efficacy of rituximab in association with antiviral therapy in small vessel vasculitis related to hepatitis B virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France. arnaud.hot@chu-lyon.fr.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasquet
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Combarnous
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Macgregor
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coppere
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mausservey
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ninet
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hot