Faculty Collaboration Database

Hepatitis C, cryoglobulinemia, and cutaneous vasculitis associated with unusual and serious manifestations. Am J Gastroenterol 2001 Aug;96(8):2489-93

Date

08/22/2001

Pubmed ID

11513197

DOI

10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.04059.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034890185 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

Hepatitis C viral infection is currently the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. It also is a major predisposing factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is estimated that approximately 1-2% of patients with hepatitis C infection have nonhepatic manifestations that are protean in nature. In this report, we describe six unusual cases of nonhepatic manifestations: abdominal vasculitis in two, peripheral neuropathy in two, and one patient each with central nervous system vasculitis and necrotizing cutaneous vasculitis. All patients had cutaneous vasculitis and cryoglobulinemia. None of our patients had cirrhosis, yet three of the six patients died. Because of the severe manifestations, aggressive therapy was instituted with interferon, immunosuppressive medications, i.v. immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis. Our report underscores the importance of recognizing nonhepatic manifestations in patients with hepatitis C infection that may be associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Author List

Méndez P, Saeian K, Reddy KR, Younossi ZM, Kerdel F, Badalamenti S, Jeffers LJ, Schiff ER

Author

Kia Saeian MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Cryoglobulinemia
Fatal Outcome
Female
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Vasculitis