What are symptoms of cryoglobulinemia?
Most people with cryoglobulins have no symptoms other than elevated levels on specially ordered lab tests. When symptoms are present, they are most commonly fatigue, joint pain, numbness or weakness, and a particular rash called purpura that looks like red spots or purple bruises, usually over the lower legs.
What causes mixed cryoglobulinemia?
The most common cause of MCS is hepatitis C virus (HCV), but other infections, lymphoproliferative, and autoimmune disorders have also been associated with the disease. The etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of MCS will be reviewed here.
What is essential cryoglobulinemia?
Cryoglobulinemia is a medical condition in which the blood contains large amounts of pathological cold sensitive antibodies called cryoglobulins – proteins (mostly immunoglobulins themselves) that become insoluble at reduced temperatures.
How is essential mixed cryoglobulinemia diagnosed?
A diagnosis of mixed cryoglobulinemia is based upon identification of characteristic symptoms, a detailed patient history, a thorough clinical evaluation and a blood test to detect the presence of cryoglobulins. The key test for mixed cryoglobulinemia is a blood test.
How is mixed cryoglobulinemia treated?
Some individuals who have severe mixed cryoglobulinemia may undergo a procedure known as plasmapheresis. These procedures are usually reserved for individuals who have not responded to other treatment options and are experiencing severe or life-threatening complications.
What are the signs and symptoms of mixed cryoglobulinemia?
Essential Mixed Cryoglobulinemia Symptoms & Signs 1 joint pains, 2 joint swelling, 3 enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), 4 abdominal pain, and 5 skin vasculitis with purplish patches.
What is mixmixed cryoglobulinemia?
Mixed cryoglobulinemia is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of cryoglobulins in the blood. Cryoglobulins are abnormal proteins that thicken and clump together at cold temperatures, usually below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (the average human body temperature).
Is mixed cryoglobulinemia an autoimmune disease?
Mixed cryoglobulinemia is believed to be an immune-mediated disorder (in which the immune system response to chronic infection causes damage to various tissues) or an autoimmune disorder (in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissue).
What is type I cryoglobulinemia?
Type I cryoglobulinemia is usually associated with an underlying disorder, specifically certain types of cancer. Type II and type III cryoglobulinemia are known as mixed cryoglobulinemia. In these disorders, cryoglobulins are abnormal immune complexes. An immune complex is formed when an antibody attaches to an antigen.