[Cryoglobulinemia in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. About 76 cases]

Cryolobulines are immunoglobulins that persist in the serum, precipitate with cold temperature and resolubilize when rewarmed. There are 3 types of cryoglobulinemia. Type II and III define mixed cryoglobulinemia. 40% approximately of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had cryoglobulinemia.To evaluate the frequency of cryoglobulinemia in a chronic hepatitis virus (CHV) infection group and determine the characteristics of positive cryoglobulinemia patients.76 patients were included. There were 53 women an 23 men. The mean age was 59.45 years. Mixed cryoglobulinemia was detected in 65 patients (85.5 %). Cirrhosis, old age and the long duration of CHV infection were the 3 factors associated with cryoglobulinemia positivity.Mixed cryoglobulinemia is a frequent manifestation during chronic hepatitis C infection virsus especially in patients with cirrhosis.