Hepatitis C-induced Sjögren’s Syndrome With Positive Serology: A Case Report

Abstract

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a tendency to inflame the exocrine glands, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is considered an exclusion criterion for the diagnosis of this condition; however, it is a highly debated topic, mainly because HCV is viewed as a possible etiopathogenic factor in the disease onset. We report a case of a female patient diagnosed with HCV chronic infection with positive serological markers of SjS (anti-Ro and anti-La autoantibodies). She presented with neuropsychiatric manifestations and casual sicca symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with HCV-induced SjS. Initially, the patient developed symptoms that fulfilled the histopathological criteria of primary SjS and co-existence of mixed cryoglobulinemia, which is viewed as an HCV-related marker.