Immunopathogenesis of extrahepatic manifestations in HAV, HBV, and HCV infections: Importance of recognition and therapy

Abstract

Hepatitis A, B, and C virus (HAV, HBV, and HCV) infections can be associated with various extrahepatic manifestations, which can be seen in both acute and chronic infections. Extrahepatic manifestations in acute hepatitis are often seen in hepatitis B, less often in hepatitis C, and only occasionally in hepatitis A. Clinically important extrahepatic manifestations are most often seen in chronic hepatitis C infection. Therefore some of the causative pathomechanisms are explained in more detail for HCV, e.g., the autoimmune syndromes and cryoglobulinemia. © 2007 Humana Press Inc.