Why does HCV cause cryoglobulinemia?

Why does HCV cause cryoglobulinemia?

HCV cryoglobulins contain RF, polyclonal IgG, and HCV RNA that precipitate and deposit on vascular endothelium, causing an end organ vasculitis. Patients often have striking clonal expansions of RF-bearing IgM+κ+CD21low memory B cells with restricted usage of RF-encoding Ig gene segments.

Can HCV cause vasculitis?

Vasculitis is a remarkable extrahepatic presentation of HCV. It includes 2 types: cryoglobulinemic and non-cryoglobulinemic vasculitis based on the presence or absence of cold-precipitable antibodies called cryoglobulins in patients’ sera. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations are discussed.

What is cryoglobulinemia vasculitis?

Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryoVas) is a small-vessel vasculitis involving mainly the skin, the joints, the peripheral nervous system, and the kidneys. Type I CryoVas is single monoclonal immunoglobulins related to an underlying B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.

Which Hepatitis is associated with vasculitis?

Hepatitis B virus is responsible for causing hepatic complications like acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma along with some uncommon immune mediated extrahepatic manifestations. Vasculitis remains an uncommon extrahepatic complication of hepatitis B virus infection.

What is mixed cryoglobulinemia?

Mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome (MCS) refers to the presence of either type II or type III cryoglobulins circulating in the serum, which can manifest clinically as a systemic vasculitis with manifestations ranging from purpura, arthralgia, and weakness to more severe neurologic and kidney involvement.

Does hep C cause swollen legs?

Edema gives the affected area a swollen or puffy appearance. People who have chronic hepatitis C usually see edema in the legs, ankles, and feet. Having stretched or shiny skin, or dimpled or pitted skin, are other symptoms of edema.

Does hep C cause Lichen Planus?

The type of lichen planus frequently associated with chronic hepatitis C is the erosive-ulcerative type, accompanied by acute symptoms with significant functional disorders and affecting the patient’s quality of life.

Which vasculitis is associated with Hep C?

Conclusion: HCV infection may be associated with different types of systemic vasculitis, i.e., polyarteritis nodosa or mixed cryoglobulinemia. Because of differences in clinical and pathological features and therapeutic strategy, PAN-type vasculitis should be distinguished from MC-type vasculitis in HCV patients.

How is mixed cryoglobulinemia diagnosed?

A diagnosis of mixed cryoglobulinemia is based upon identification of characteristic symptoms, a detailed patient history, a thorough clinical evaluation and a blood test to detect the presence of cryoglobulins. The key test for mixed cryoglobulinemia is a blood test.