Weng MT, Chang TH, Lin CC, Wu CS. Rheumatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection are associated with autoantibodies but not viremia.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023;
56:739-746. [PMID:
37055257 DOI:
10.1016/j.jmii.2023.03.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
To investigate the associations between extrahepatic manifestations, autoantibodies, and viremia in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study recruited patients with HCV infection from the outpatient department of a tertiary medical center in Northern Taiwan between January 2017 and August 2019. Autoantibody profiles and the clinical parameters of HCV infection were evaluated using laboratory tests, and a questionnaire was used to record extrahepatic manifestations. HCV infection status, including inactive HCV infection, active hepatitis, and cirrhosis, was defined according to abdominal ultrasonography findings and alanine transaminase levels.
RESULTS
A total of 77 patients with HCV were recruited, with 19.5% and 16.9% of patients, respectively, presenting with arthritis and dry eyes. Autoantibody screening revealed rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-Ro antibody, and anti-La antibody positivity in 20.8%, 23.4%, 13.0%, and 2.6% of the patients, respectively. The presence of RF was associated with arthritis, whereas the presence of ANA was associated with dry eyes but not dry mouth. Active hepatitis and HCV-related cirrhosis were associated with viremia, but not autoantibody profiles.
CONCLUSION
In this single-center study, the prevalence of extrahepatic manifestations and autoantibodies did not differ in patients stratified by the HCV infection status. Rheumatic manifestations were associated with the presence of autoantibodies but not with viremia.
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