LETTER
Extrahepatic Manifestations of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Jeffrey L. Pollock, MD
15 August 1996 | Volume 125 Issue 4 | Page 345
TO THE EDITOR:
Two extrahepatic manifestations of HCV should be added to those described in the recent review by Gumber and Chopra [1].
A significant prevalence of HCV markers (5% to 20%) has been reported in several series of patients with polyarteritis nodosa [2-4]. This finding suggests that HCV may occasionally cause this disorder. Cases of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura have been noted in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Serum HCV antibodies have been detected in 19% of 112 patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura [5].
Thus, HCV markers should be monitored in patients with polyarteritis nodosa and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.
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Author and Article Information
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Churchville, PA 18966
1. Gumber SC, Chopra S. Hepatitis C: a multifaceted disease. Review of extrahepatic manifestations. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 123:615-20.
2. Cacoub P, Lunel-Fabiani F, Le Thi Huong D. Polyarteritis nodosa and hepatitis C virus infection. Ann Intern Med. 1992; 116:605-6.
3. Deny P, Bonacorsi S, Guillevin L, Quint L. Association between hepatitis C virus and polyarteritis nodosa. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1992; 10:319-24.
4. Carson CW, Conn DL, Czaja AJ, Wright TL, Brecher ME. Frequency and significance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in polyarteritis nodosa. J Rheumatol. 1993; 20:304-9.
5. Silva M, Li X, Cheinquer H, et al. HCV-associated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) [Abstract]. Gastroenterology. 1992; 102:A889.
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