title: Long-term remission with rituximab in a patient with severe hepatitis C virus-induced mixed cryoglobulinemia.
abstract: Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is a small-vessel systemic vasculitis characterized by the presence of cryoglobulins, immunoglobulin complexes that precipitate at low temperatures ( < 37 ºC) inducing the inflammatory process. The most frequent etiology is hepatitis C infection (HCV) (1). Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has recently emerged as the treatment of choice for severe MC (2). We present a case of severe hepatitis C virus-induced MC that was controlled and maintained in remission with RTX for 26 months, a remarkable prolonged period of time.
authors.forename: José Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Fortea-Ormaechea
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lozano-Maya
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adán-Merino
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barrio-Antoranz
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martín-Chavarri
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corchete-Prats
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Acebes
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aldeguer-Martínez
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000069283:Rituximab