PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Francesco G. De Rosa
AU  - Vincent Agnello
TI  - Observations on Cryoglobulin Testing: I. The Association of Cryoglobulins Containing Rheumatoid Factors with Manifestation of Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis
AID  - 10.3899/jrheum.081035
DP  - 2009 Jun 16
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2009/06/15/jrheum.081035.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2009/06/15/jrheum.081035.full
AB  - Objective To investigate the results of mixed cryoglobulin tests performed on patients with and without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, to determine whether type II cryoglobulins containing rheumatoid factor (Type II-RF) were associated with cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Methods The cryoglobulin test protocol differed from the routine protocol. In addition to determination of both cryoglobulin concentration and immunoglobulin composition, the presence or absence of RF concentrated in the cryoglobulins was determined. Results A qualitative and quantitative association of Type II-RF cryoglobulins with cryoglobulinemic vasculitis was present among HCV-infected patients. Conclusion Detection and quantification of Type II-RF may enhance clinical monitoring of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in HCV-infected patients.