Olga B. Vorozhbyt, Serge M. Chooklin Chronic Hepatitis C with extrahepatic lesions in the west region of Ukraine.

European Journal of Clinical Investigation Volume 37 Supplement 1 May 2007 Abstracts of the 41 st Annual Meeting of the Europen Society for Clinical Investigation Uppsala, Sweden, 17–20 April 2007.

Background

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with several extrahepatic disorders. Although the exact pathogenesis of these conditions is not fully understood, several studies have provided insight into the role of HCV in their development. This article discusses the different conditions that have been associated with HCV infection.

Methods

We performed study on 54 patients (23 male and 31 female mean age 59.5 years), with chronic hepatitis C. For each patients HCV genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with genotype specific primer.The presence, concentration, and type of cryoglobulins were tested by immunofixation. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) were also measured.

Results and conclusion

Extrahepatic manifestation were found in 26 (48%) patients with chronic hepatitis C (more frequently in hepatic cirrhosis). For the most part in women and in long-lasting disease.21% patients had cryoglobulinemia . Patients with cryoglobulinemia and free of it exhibited varying frequency cutaneous vasculitis(14%), Rayanaud`s syndrome (7%), affection of the muscles and joints (5%), nodular periartheritis, lesions of lungs, myocarditis, autoimmue thyoriditis, Sjogren`s syndrome, monoclonal immunoglobulinopathy. Of high frequency were activity of rheumatic factor, hypocomplementemia and other immunological disorders.