Observations on cryoglobulin testing: II. The association of oligoclonal mixed cryoglobulinemia with cirrhosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus

Abstract

Objective. To determine whether a mixed cryoglobulin type correlated with cirrhosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods. We investigated the results of mixed cryoglobulin tests performed in the clinical laboratory on patients with and without HCV infection. Results. A higher prevalence of oligoclonal cryoglobulins designated Type IIa was present in HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis than in those without cirrhosis. Conclusion. An association of Type IIa cryoglobulins with cirrhosis in HCV-infected patients has not previously been reported. The Journal of Rheumatology Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved.