Hepatitis C virus genotype analysis in patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia
Article Abstract:
One genetic type of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), HCV type 2a/III, may play a role in the development of mixed cryoglobulinemia. Researchers analyzed blood samples for various genetic variations of HCV from 29 patients positive for HCV and with mixed cryoglobulinemia (study group) and 61 patients positive for HCV without mixed cryoglobulinemia (control group). They also evaluated liver and kidney function by biopsy and blood testing. Patients in the study group had higher levels of infection with HCV type 2a/III (41%) as compared with the control group (15%). Seventy-five percent of the study group patients with antibodies against their own tissue had an infection with HCV type 2a/III. Only twenty-five percent of the study group with elevated levels of aminotransaminase, an indicator of liver disease, also had an infection with HCV type 2a/III. None of the patients in the control group had normal aminotransaminase levels.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1996
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GB virus C infection in patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia
Article Abstract:
Dual infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and a virus called GB virus C (GBV-C) does not seem to influence the condition called type II mixed cryoglobulinemia. This condition causes many symptoms resulting from widespread inflammation of the blood vessels. Of 58 patients with cryoglobulinemia, 20 were infected with both viruses and 3 with GBV-C alone. Detection of the GBV-C virus alone indicates a possible role in this disease. However, when treated with interferon-alpha, clinical response was related only to the disappearance of the HCV virus, not to that of the GBV-C virus.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with hepatitis C virus infection
Article Abstract:
Some people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a monoclonal gammopathy and it appears to be caused by a specific strain of the virus. Monoclonal gammopathy is caused by a proliferation of B cells, which are the immune cells that produce antibodies. Researchers tested 239 HCV-positive people and 98 HCV-negative people for monoclonal gammopathy. Eleven percent of the HCV-positive people had the disease compared to 1% of those who were HCV-negative. Half of those with the disease were infected with the 2a/c viral strain compared ot 18% without the disease.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1998
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