PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - O Lidove
AU  - P Cacoub
AU  - T Maisonobe
AU  - J Servan
AU  - V Thibault
AU  - J-C Piette
AU  - J-M Léger
TI  - Hepatitis C virus infection with peripheral neuropathy is not always associated with cryoglobulinaemia
AID  - 10.1136/ard.60.3.290
DP  - 2001 Mar 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 290--292
VI  - 60
IP  - 3
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/60/3/290.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/60/3/290.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2001 Mar 01; 60
AB  - OBJECTIVES To describe cases of peripheral neuropathy associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection without mixed cryoglobulinaemia.METHODS Four cases of peripheral neuropathy associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection with persistent negativity of mixed cryoglobulinaemia were found.RESULTS All patients had small increases of transaminase levels and a positive viraemia. Liver biopsy showed chronic active hepatitis in all but one case (Knodell 4–9, Metavir A0F0-A3F3). Neuromuscular biopsy showed axonal neuropathy associated with lymphoid infiltrates around small vessels in two cases. Rheumatoid factor was always negative and C4 complement level was always normal. In three patients, neuropathy improved with interferon α, interferon α + ursodesoxycholic acid, or steroids + plasma exchange.CONCLUSION Peripheral neuropathy may be associated with hepatitis C virus infection without mixed cryoglobulinaemia.