Prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in chronically HCV-infected Brazilian patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cryoglobulinemia is one of the most frequent extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and it may evolve to cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryoVas) which is a systemic vasculitis that affects small-sized vessels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and CryoVas in HCV patients in São Paulo, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted and included sixty-eight viremic HCV patients, without HIV or hepatitis B coinfection. A thorough clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed including the detection of serum cryoglobulins and measurement of serum complement components. The classification criteria for CryoVas were applied. RESULTS: The study population comprised mainly women (61.8%) with long term HCV infection (median 11.0 years). Advanced hepatic fibrosis was detected in 20.6% (14/68) of cases. Cryoglobulins were detected in 48.5% (33/68) of HCV-patients with type III cryoglobulinemia being the most frequent. CryoVas was present in 10.3% (7/68) and the main manifestations were peripheral neuropathy (85.7%), palpable purpura (42.8%), arthralgias (42.8%) and renal involvement (42.8%). Life-threatening manifestations were rare. Low hemolytic C2, C4 and total hemolytic complement (CH100) levels were common findings in the cryoglobulinemia group. Low C4 levels were independently associated with the development of CryoVas. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and CryoVas was found in Brazilian HCV-patients. CryoVas patients mostly presented non-life-threatening manifestations, especially peripheral neuropathy. Complement abnormalities were common in patients with cryoglobulinemia and low serum C4 levels were associated with CryoVas.

Cryoglobulinemia in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Renal failure patients submitted to chronic hemodialysis can present with cryoglobulinemia. There are few studies on cryoglobulins in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the components of cryoglobulins in chronic hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Fifty-four patients on chronic hemodialysis were evaluated for the presence of cryoglobulins, after inclusion and exclusion criteria. The components of the cryoprecipitate were analyzed. RESULTS: Cryoglobulins were detected in 83% (45/54) of the patients on chronic hemodialysis. The cryoprecipitate was constituted by IgG, IgM, IgA, and complement fractions C3 and C4. CONCLUSION: We concluded that there was a high prevalence of cryoglobulins in chronic hemodialysis patients, and the cryoprecipitate was constituted by IgG, IgM, IgA, and complement fractions C3 and C4.

Evaluation of neutrophilic activity in patients submitted to kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Cryoglobulinemia is frequent in renal transplant patients. The mononuclear and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) phagocytic systems are important for the clearance of cryoglobulin immune complexes. There might be a reduced phagocytic activity in transplant patients with cryoglobulinemia (CRYO+). METHODS: We studied the phagocytic activity by PMNs, in the presence of immune complexes in renal transplant patients, with or without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thirty-seven patients subjected to kidney transplant were evaluated, and for the control group, healthy blood donors were chosen. The presence of cryoprecipitate was evaluated, as well as HCV infection, phagocytic activity by neutrophils during the ingestion and digestion phase. RESULTS: The presence of cryoprecipitate was detected in 75.7% of the patients, 39.28% of which had HCV infection. IgG, IgM, IgA, and C3 and C4 complement components were identified in the cryoprecipitate. There was a reduction in the ingestion phase of phagocytosis by PMNs in renal transplant CRYO+ though the digestion phase was preserved. CONCLUSION: We concluded that there was a decreased PMN activity in transplanted patients presenting cryoglobulinemia.

Crioglobulinemia mista em pacientes com infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) / Mixed cryoglobulinaemia in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

Introdução: A infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) está associada com várias manifestações extra-hepáticas, sendo a patogenia da maior parte baseada em mecanismos autoimunes ou linfoproliferativos. Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência de crioglobulinemia entre os pacientes com infecção pelo VHC. Pacientes e métodos: Foram estudados de forma prospectiva e consecutiva 67 pacientes com hepatite crônica pelo VHC, e avaliados quanto a presença de crioglobulinas, autoanticorpos e quanto a sintomas relacionados a crioglobulinemia. Resultados: Foi detectada a presença de crioglobulinas em 18 pacientes (27%). Quando comparados os pacientes com crioglobulinas com os demais, foi observado sexo feminino: 72% × 51%; média de idade: 49,8± 9,3 × 46,3± 13; nível de ALT: 114,05 × 119,18; genótipo: 1: 67% × 37%; cirrose: 22% × 14%; Artralgia em 39% × 28%; FAN em 11% × 6%; FR em 53% × 29%; anticorpo anti-tireoglobulina em 5% × 8% e anticorpo antimicrossoma em 5% × 2%. A síndrome clínica de crioglobulinemia mista foi diagnosticada em 2 pacientes (11%) e um deles apresentava glomerulonefrite crioglobulinêmica. Conclusão: A prevalência de crioglobulinemia mista em pacientes com infecção pelo VHC é elevada, porém a síndrome clínica é infreqüentemente detectada (AU)

Introduction: The hepatitis C vírus (HCV) infection is associated with many extrahepatic manifestations. The mechanisms are autoimmunes or limphoproliferatives. Objective: To identify the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia in the patients with HCV infection. Pacients and methods: Sixty seven patients with HCV chronic hepatitis were prospectively and consecutively studied. They were evaluated for the presence of cryoglobulins, autoantibodies and symptoms related to cryoglobulins. Results: The presence of cryoglobulins was detected in 18 patients (27%). When this group with cryoglobulins was compared to the others it was observed: women were more prevalent in the cryoglobulin group (72% × 51%); the mean age was 49,8± 9,3 × 46,3± 13; mean ALT was 114,05 × 119,18; genotype ? 1: 67% × 37%; cirrhosis: 22% × 14%; artralgia: 39% × 28%; FAN: 11% × 6%; reumathoid factor: 53% × 29%; anti-thyreoglobulin antibody: 5% × 8%; and anti-microssomal antibody: 5% × 2%. Clinical cryoglobulinemic syndrome was diagnosed in 2 patients (11%) and one of them presented cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Conclusion: The prevalence of mixed cryoglobulinemia in patients with HCV infection is high, however the clinical syndrome is not frequently detected (AU)