Cryoglobulins in patients with acute hepatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Serum cryoglobulins were detected in the majority of patients with liver disease, and in all patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Their incidence in acute hepatitis was similar to that in chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis. All patients had serum cryoglobulins in the range of 5-76 micrograms/ml, except for a subgroup of patients with acute non-B hepatitis, who had much higher levels. The predominant immunoglobulin in the cryoprecipitates was IgMK. The significance of these results is discussed and possible mechanisms for the high prevalence of cryoglobulins in liver and inflammatory bowel diseases are suggested.