Cryoglobulinemia: a heterogeneous entity

Authors

  • María Victoria Fava J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Antonella María Cilio J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • María Emilia Debernardi J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Gabriela Bendjuia J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47196/da.v27i4.2219

Keywords:

cryoglobulinemia, cryoglobulins, vasculitis, cryoglobulinemic syndrome

Abstract

Cryoglobulinemia is defined as the presence of immunoglobulins in serum that reversibly precipitate at low temperatures. It is classified into types I, II and III on the basis of immunoglobulin characteristics. Type I is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, type II and III known as mixed cryoglobulinemia, are associated with hepatitis C virus infection and autoimmune diseases. Clinical manifestations are related with occlusion of small and medium blood vessels common in type I cryoglobulinemia while immune-mediated vasculitis is frequent in mixed cryoglobulinemia. Cutaneous damage is the main manifestation, followed by joint, peripheral nerves and renal involvement. We present three cases of cryoglobulinemia that differ from the literature due to their laboratory findings and associated diseases.

Author Biographies

María Victoria Fava, J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Physician of the Dermatology Specialist Career

Antonella María Cilio, J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Resident Physician of Dermatology

María Emilia Debernardi, J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Medical Dermatologist

Gabriela Bendjuia, J. M. Ramos Mejía General Acute Hospital, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Staff Physician, Collagenopathies Sector

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Published

2021-12-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles