Clinical relevance of serum cryoglobulins in hemophilic patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Twenty-four hemophilic patients positive for hepatitis C virus were evaluated for the presence of serum cryoglobulins and associated symptoms. Eight (33.3%) of them had serum cryoglobulins (type II mixed cryoglobulinemia in all cases). The average time lapse between infection and appearance of serum cryoglobulins was 14.4 years (range 7-22 years). Two (25%) out of the 8 patients presented symptoms: one had systemic vasculitis, the other mild purpura. Hemophiliacs are a particularly suitable model for studying cryoglobulinemia in patients with hepatitis C virus infection since the onset of the infection is known and there is a long-term follow-up period.