OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a mixed cryoglobulin type correlated with cirrhosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: We investigated the results of mixed cryoglobulin tests performed in the clinical laboratory on patients with and without HCV infection. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of oligoclonal cryoglobulins designated Type IIa was present in HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis than in those without cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: An association of Type IIa cryoglobulins with cirrhosis in HCV-infected patients has not previously been reported.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a mixed cryoglobulin type correlated with cirrhosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: We investigated the results of mixed cryoglobulin tests performed in the clinical laboratory on patients with and without HCV infection. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of oligoclonal cryoglobulins designated Type IIa was present in HCV-infectedpatients with cirrhosis than in those without cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: An association of Type IIa cryoglobulins with cirrhosis in HCV-infectedpatients has not previously been reported.