HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION AMONG CRYOGLOBULINEMIC AND NON-CRYOGLOBULINEMIC B-CELL NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMAS

Background and Objective. Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with different histotypes of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymp homa (NHL), with or without concomitant production of cryoglobulins (c ryolg), we have investigated the prevalence of the infection among NHL with the aim of defining its relationship with the histotype and with the production of cryolg. Methods. Four-hundred and seventy unselecte d, consecutive patients with a diagnosis of B-cell NHL were investigat ed. Anti-HCV antibodies (Ab) and cryolg were sought in all while HCV R NA and rheumatoid factor were detected on HCV-Ab positive samples. Res ults. Overall, the prevalence of HCV infection was 8.9% (42/470). It w as 95.4% (#21) among the 22 patients with, and 4.6% (#21) among the 44 8 without production of cryolg. The most common histotype among the HC V-positive, cryolg-producing cases, was the immunocytoma (16/21, 76%). Among the HCV-positive, non cryolg-producing cases, the marginal zone and the follicle center lymphomas were the commonest. Interpretation and conclusions. Close association between HCV infection and cryolg pr oduction, already described in mixed cryoglobulinemia, is confirmed al so among B-cell NHL. Nevertheless, 50% of HCV-related lymphomas are no n-cryolg producers. Low-grade lymphomas (in particular the immunocytom a) are the most frequent HCV-related lymphomas. Since new therapeutic strategies might be necessary if the virus is detected, screening for cryolg and for HCV-Ab among B-cell NHL at diagnosis is mandatory. (C) 1997, Ferrata Storti Foundation.