CRYOGLOBULINEMIC MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

A striking association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and mixed cryog lobulinemia (MC) has been reported by various authors, regardless of t he presence of chronic hepatitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of HCV-related markers in cryoglobulinemic membranopro liferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) which is one of the most severe c omplications of MC. Antibodies against HCV have been detected by secon d-generation Chiron ELISA and RIBA in 26/26 (100%) cryoglobulinemic MP GN. In addition, serum HCV RNA, expression of the ongoing viral replic ation, was present in 7/7 patients by the polymerase chain reaction te chnique. The high percentage of anti-HCV seropositivity suggests that this virus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this immu nemediated glomerulonephritis.