CRYOGLOBULINEMIA IN TRANSFUSION-DEPENDENT THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of cry oglobulinemia and associated symptoms in transfusion-dependent thalass emia patients at high risk for HCV infection. Methods: A controlled ep idemiological study was used to evaluate the prevalence of clinical, b iochemical and immunological abnormalities in a group of 264 HCV-posit ive and 106 HCV-negative transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. H aematologic and hepatic function tests were performed according to sta ndard methods. HCV-RNA was detected by PCR analysis. Results: The sign ificant presence of cryoglobulinemia and associated symptoms (purpura, vasculitis, arthritis, asthenia, proteinuria), serum autoantibodies ( SMA, anti-GOR, ANA, LKM), low complement and rheumatoid factor were fo und in HCV-positive compared with HCV-negative patients. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the role of HCV in inducing cryoglobulinemia a nd immunological disorders in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patien ts. HCV infection and associated immune abnormalities are a new clinic al aspect of, and deserve particular attention due to their high frequ ency in, transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients.