title: HCV-related autoimmune disorders in HCV chronic infection.
abstract: Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection may develop a great number of extrahepatic manifestations. Among these latter, mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) represents the prototype of HCV-associated autoimmune-lymphoproliferative disorders. Other rheumatological manifestations of HCV chronic infection are Siögren syndrome, arthritis and CREST syndrome. Thyroid autoimmune disorders are among the most frequent manifestations of HCV chronic infections and are clinically relevant because of the association with thyroid dysfunctions and hypothyroidism. Autoimmune cytopenia is also reported in association with HCV infection. This paper reviews the association of HCV chronic infection with the above mentioned pathologies, and their immunopathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mancusi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colaci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonelli
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans