Abstract | BACKGROUND: PATIENTS AND METHODS: 93 HCVAb (+) patients underwent lacrimal function testing (Schirmer-1 test, break-up time test and Rose-Bengal staining test) and estimation of serum cryoglobulins and autoantibodies. 80 healthy volunteers were included in the study as controls. RESULTS: 34 out of 93 HCV patients (36.6%) and eight out of 80 healthy subjects (10%) had at least two abnormal lacrimal function tests suggestive of KCS (p < 0.001), cryoglobulinemia was evident in 20 patients (21.5%), rheumatoid factor (RF) in 43 (46.2%), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in 19 (20.4%), antinuclear antigens (anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B) in one (1.1%) and two (2.2%) patients, respectively. Reduced prevalence of KCS was found in patients with genotype 3a compared to those with other genotypes (5/30, 16.7% vs 20/42, 47.6%, p = 0.007), probably because of their younger age. In patients with KCS a higher staging score was noted in liver biopsy compared to those without KCS (4.50 +/- 1.65 vs 3.06 +/- 1.88, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Greek patients with chronic HCV infection have a high prevalence of KCS (36.6%). The low frequency of anti-SS-A and anti- SS-B antibodies in these patients denotes different pathogenetic associations from primary Sjogren's syndrome.
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Authors | D Siagris, N Pharmakakis, M Christofidou, J K Petropoulos, C Vantzou, A Lekkou, C A Gogos, C Labropoulou-Karatza |
Journal | Infection
(Infection)
Vol. 30
Issue 4
Pg. 229-33
(Aug 2002)
ISSN: 0300-8126 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 12236567
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Antinuclear
- Antibodies, Viral
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antibodies, Antinuclear
(analysis)
- Antibodies, Viral
(analysis)
- Biopsy
- Female
- Greece
(epidemiology)
- Hepacivirus
(immunology)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(complications)
- Humans
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
(epidemiology, etiology, immunology)
- Liver
(pathology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prevalence
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