Severe Cryoglobulinemia in a Patient with Asymptomatic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Seitaro IGUCHI; Ken TOBA; Ichiro FUSE; Yoko WADA; Soichi MARUYAMA; Masuhiro TAKAHASHI; Tadashi KOIKE; Minoru NOMOTO; Akira SHIBATA; Yoshifusa AIZAWA

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.35.712

Seitaro IGUCHI, Ken TOBA, Ichiro FUSE, Yoko WADA, Soichi MARUYAMA, Masuhiro TAKAHASHI, Tadashi KOIKE, Minoru NOMOTO, Akira SHIBATA, Yoshifusa AIZAWA

Author information

Seitaro IGUCHI
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Ken TOBA
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Ichiro FUSE
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Yoko WADA
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Soichi MARUYAMA
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Masuhiro TAKAHASHI
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Tadashi KOIKE
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Minoru NOMOTO
The Third Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Akira SHIBATA
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
Yoshifusa AIZAWA
The First Departments of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine

Keywords: hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia, monoclonal gammopathy, hyperviscosity syndrome

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1996 Volume 35 Issue 9 Pages 712-716

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.35.712

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Abstract

A patient with severe type II cryoglobulinemia after ten years of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is reported. Laboratory data showed hypergammaglobulinemia with polyclonal IgG and monoclonal IgM, blood hyperviscosity, high level of cryocrit (60%), HCV viremia, and normal levels of serum transaminases. Due to cold exposure, acrocyanosis and cardiac ischemic attack occurred; he recovered after being artificially warmed. Administration of prednisolone and natural interferon-alpha for three months resulted in significant decreases in the levels of serum IgM and cryocrit.
(Internal Medicine 35: 712-716, 1996)

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