| pubmed-article:10551381 | pubmed:abstractText | Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often associated with mixed cryoglobulins (MC) and may manifest as small-vessel vasculitis. It has been suggested that antibody (Ab) or sensitized T cells to HCV-containing endothelial cells may initiate the vasculitis process. Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been found in various connective tissue disorders, with a high prevalence in systemic vasculitis. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of AECA in HCV patients with or without MC-associated vasculitis, and to identify associations with clinical, immunological, virological and liver characteristics. | lld:pubmed |
