Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: twelve HCV RNA+ patients with histologically proven vasculitis in the absence of detectable MC (cases) were retrospectively compared with 48 HCV RNA+ patients with MC vasculitis (controls). Each case was matched with 4 controls for age and sex. RESULTS: the main epidemiological and virologic features were similar between cases and controls. No clinical difference was found, except for lower rates of arthralgias (33% vs 71%; p = 0.02) and purpura (50% vs 83%; p = 0.03) in cases. Cases showed higher mean serum C3 (1.17 ± 0.21 vs 0.93 ± 0.23 g/l; p = 0.01) and median C4 levels (0.25 vs 0.04 g/l; p < 0.001), lower median serum IgM levels (0.6 vs 1.9 g/l; p < 0.001), and lower rates of rheumatoid factor positivity (8% vs 82%; p < 0.001) than controls. The main histologic features were similar between cases and controls. Immunofluorescence analysis of skin biopsy from 1 case revealed perivascular deposits of C3 and IgA. After treatment, overall clinical response of vasculitis (75% vs 83%) and sustained virological response (40% vs 64%; p = 0.3) were similar between cases and controls, except for higher complete clinical response (42% vs 73%; p = 0.05) in controls. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Benjamin Terrier, Damien Sène, Agnès Dechartres, David Saadoun, Nicolas Ortonne, Philippe Rouvier, Lucile Musset, Matthieu Resche Rigon, Thierry Maisonobe, Patrice Cacoub |
Journal | The Journal of rheumatology
(J Rheumatol)
Vol. 38
Issue 1
Pg. 104-10
(Jan 2011)
ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada |
PMID | 20952479
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Antiviral Agents
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Cryoglobulinemia
(immunology, virology)
- Female
- Hepacivirus
- Hepatitis C
(immunology, pathology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Peroneal Nerve
(pathology)
- Retrospective Studies
- Systemic Vasculitis
(drug therapy, immunology, pathology, virology)
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