HCV and monoclonal gammopathies.

Authors :: Mussini C
Ghini M
Mascia MT
Zanni G
Lattuada I
Giovanardi P
Bonacorsi G
Artusi T
Source :: Clinical and experimental rheumatology [Clin Exp Rheumatol] 1995 Nov-Dec; Vol. 13 Suppl 13, pp. S45-9.
Publication Year :: 1995
Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence of antibodies against HCV in monoclonal gammopathies with and without cryoglobulinemic activity.<br />Methods: 201 patients were divided into two groups: (I) 94 patients with monoclonal gammopathies with cryoglobulinemic activity, and (II) 107 with monoclonal gammopathies without cryoglobulinemic activity. Cryoglobulins were characterized by immunofixation; HCVAb were detected using second-generation ELISA and RIBA methods; in 38 cases the presence of HCV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by PCR.<br />Results: The HCVAb prevalence, as evaluated by RIBA, in Group I was 69.1% while in Group II it was only 14.9%. Histological and immunohistochemical study of the bone marrow in Group I patients frequently showed signs of nodular B-cell clonal expansion.<br />Conclusions: Our data confirm the existence of a close correlation between HCV infection and the monoclonal gammopathies with cryoglobulinemic activity. HCV-positive cryoglobulinemic is characterized by self-limiting IgM monoclonal expansion associated with histological aspects of bone marrow lymphoid nodules that do not expand in the course of the disease like classic evolving lymphoproliferative processes.