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Antibodies against hepatitis C virus in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients

Antikörper gegen das Hepatitis C Virus bei Patienten mit gemischter Kryoglobulinämie

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Summary

The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in an unselected series of 45 mixed cryoglobulinemia patients was assessed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Chiron ELISA HCV, Second Generation). The anti-HCV specificity was evaluated by a recombinant based immunoblot assay (Chiron RIBA HCV, Second Generation Assay). HBV-related markers and HIVAb were detected in the same samples. The prevalence of anti- HCV observed in mixed cryoglobulinemia was compared with 80 patients with other immunological systemic diseases. Anti-HCV were found in 91% of mixed cryoglobulinemia patients, and confirmed by RIBA in all cases; on the other hand, anti-HCV were practically absent in other control diseases. HBV markers were recorded in 49% of mixed cryoglobulinemia subjects; while HIVAb were constantly absent. These data give us new insights into the etiopathogenesis of mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Zusammenfassung

Bei einer nicht selektierten Gruppe von 45 Patienten mit gemischter Kryoglobulinämie wurde mit ELISA (Chiron ELISA HCV, Second Generation) nach Anti-HCV-Antikörpern gesucht. Die Anti-HCV-Spezifität wurde mit einem auf rekombinantem Antigen basierenden Immunoblot-Assay (Chiron RIBA HCV, Second Generation) geprüft. Die Serumproben wurden außerdem auf Marker für HBV und auf Anti-HIV-Antikörper untersucht. Zum Vergleich wurden 80 Patienten mit anderen Erkrankungen des Immunsystems auf anti-HCV getestet. Antikörper gegen HCV fanden sich bei 91% der Patienten mit gemischter Kryoglobulinämie, sie wurden in allen Fällen mit RIBA bestätigt. In der Kontrollgruppe war der HCV-Test nahezu immer negativ. Bei 49% der Patienten mit Kryoglobulinämie fanden sich auch HBV-Marker, aber in keinem Fall Antikörper gegen HIV. Die Ätiopathogenese der gemischten Kryoglobulinämie erscheint durch diese Daten in einem neuen Licht.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Unit and Clinical Immunology Unit of Pisa, I-Pisa, Italy

    C. Ferri M. D., G. Longombardo B. S., E. Marzo M. D., G. Pasero M.D. & S. Bombardieri M.D.

  2. Blood Center, Ospedale S. Chiara, I-Pisa, Italy

    F. Greco M. D., P. Palla M. D., A. Moretti M. D. & P. V. Fosella M. D.

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  1. C. Ferri M. D.
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  2. G. Longombardo B. S.
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  3. E. Marzo M. D.
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  4. G. Pasero M.D.
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  5. S. Bombardieri M.D.
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  6. F. Greco M. D.
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  7. P. Palla M. D.
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  8. A. Moretti M. D.
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  9. P. V. Fosella M. D.
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Ferri, C., Longombardo, G., Marzo, E. et al. Antibodies against hepatitis C virus in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients. Infection 19, 417–420 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01726453

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01726453

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