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  • Title: [Hepatitis C infection with false negative serology in a patient with mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis].
    Author: Tini GM, Wüscher V, Jeker R.
    Journal: Dtsch Med Wochenschr; 2007 Mar 23; 132(12):616-8. PubMed ID: 17357905.
    Abstract:
    HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 72-year-old man with nausea, fever and elevated inflammatory parameters was transferred for further diagnostic assessment and treatment. On examination a palpable purpura was obvious without any signs of infection. INVESTIGATIONS: Creatininekinase was 350 mmol/l with a proteinuria of 20 g per day. Histological examination revealed hypersensitivity vasculitis in the cutis and a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. In addition there was a mixed cryoglobulinemia with a negative test for hepatitis C virus. Further investigation revealed hepatitis C virus RNA genotype 1 b in the cryoprecipitate. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: The patient was successfully treated with with interferon alpha for 12 month. The nephrotic syndrome improved and the proteinuria ceased CONCLUSION: Mixed cryoglobulinemias are associated with hepatitis C virus infection in over 80% of cases. Normally it is easy to make the diagnosis serologically with an ELISA test. But in a few cases the virus RNA is only detectable in the cryoprecipitate. If there is a high suspicion of an hepatitis C infection with cryoglobulinemia but HCV serology is negative, it is essential that virus antigen and antibodies are searched for in the cryoprecipitate.
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