RSS Feeds
Remission of Hepatitis B Virus–Related Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis with Entecavir
- Tamihiro Kawakami, MD, PhD;
- Shiho Ooka, MD, PhD;
- Masako Mizoguchi, MD, PhD;
- Yoshinao Soma, MD, PhD; and
- Masahide Yamazaki, MD, PhD
- From St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan, and Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan.
Background: Cryoglobulins are cold-precipitating immunoglobulins that persist in the serum and resolubilize when rewarmed. Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is thought to result from the deposition of cryoglobulins on the vessel wall, which activates and mediates this damage. Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis has been well described in chronic hepatitis B and C infection. Entecavir, an analogue of 2′-deoxyguanosine, is converted intracellularly to an active 5′-triphosphate form that inhibits hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase (1). Entecavir exhibits potent antiviral activity in patients with chronic HBV infection.
Objective: To describe a case of chronic HBV infection–related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis that responded to entecavir treatment.
Case Report: A 57-year-old Japanese man had chronic HBV infection with a 2-month history of intermittent palpable purpura involving his upper extremities and buttocks. Examination at his first visit revealed palpable …
This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.
