Severe cryoglobulinemia in a patient with asymptomatic hepatitis C virus infection

Intern Med. 1996 Sep;35(9):712-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.35.712.

Abstract

A patient with severe type II cryoglobulinemia after ten years of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is reported. Laboratory data showed hypergammaglobulinemia with polyclonal IgG and monoclonal IgM, blood hyperviscosity, high level of cryocrit (60%), HCV viremia, and normal levels of serum transaminases. Due to cold exposure, acrocyanosis and cardiac ischemic attack occurred; he recovered after being artificially warmed. Administration of prednisolone and natural interferon-alpha for three months resulted in significant decreases in the levels of serum IgM and cryocrit.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cryoglobulinemia / etiology*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / immunology
  • Cryoglobulinemia / therapy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / etiology
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Retinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Prednisolone