Prevalence of cryoglobulins and hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected patients

Purpose and methods. In order to evaluate the prevalence of positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology and cryoglobulinemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the prevalence and the clinical significance of cryoglobulinemia were prospectively studied in a cohort of 86 HIV-infected subjects seen as outpatients. They were compared to a control group consisting of 101 HIV-HCV+ patients being followed at the same hospital. Results. HCV serology was positive in 53/86 (61.6%) patients, 25 (47.2%) of whom had detectable cryoglobulins in their sera although only I had clinical symptoms consistent with cryoglobulinemia. Cryoglobulinemia was also detected in 9/33 (27.3%) HCV- patients, with only one of them presenting clinical symptoms. Although the mean cryoglobulin concentration was lower for HIV+ patients than in controls (268 versus 585 mg/l, p < 0.01), their prevalence (39.5% and 27.2%, respectively) was higher (p < 0.03). Conclusion. Cryoglobulinemia is frequently detected in HIV-infected patients, regardless of their HCV serology, but is poorly correlated with clinical symptoms.