1. Mixed cryoglobulinemia responsive to interferon-alpha
- Author
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Knox, Tamsin A., Hillyer, Christopher D., Kaplan, Marshall M., and Berkman, Eugene M.
- Subjects
Interferon alpha -- Health aspects ,Cryoglobulinemia -- Case studies ,Health ,Health care industry - Abstract
Cryoglobulinemia is characterized by an abnormal protein in the blood, and may accompany a number of different disorders. Type II cryoglobulinemia is associated with hepatitis. Blood filtration can reduce levels of the protein and diminish kidney and nerve complications, but the proteins may often re-accumulate. A 38-year-old patient is described with chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and mixed cryoglobulinemia, who improved when treated with low doses of interferon (IFN). She had developed jaundice after a blood transfusion in 1978, which had progressed to chronic active hepatitis that was not responsive to steroid therapy. After 10 years, she developed a headache and rash over the abdomen and legs. Several tests of blood proteins were abnormal. The rash and headache resolved after blood filtration, but cryoglobulinemia then recurred. Hypertension and protein in urine, both signs of kidney dysfunction, developed. Continued progression of the disorder prompted a trial with IFN. Although chronic fatigue, ankle edema (fluid accumulation), and liver function tests did not improve, cryoglobulin levels decreased five-fold with treatment. When IFN was discontinued, cryoglobulinemia and the rash recurred. This report indicates that IFN-alpha is effective in treating at least some cases of cryoglobulinemia; it is also less costly and less hazardous than frequent blood filtration. Further research to substantiate these results and to optimize the treatment protocol is needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.) more...
- Published
- 1991