Virus-driven autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation: the example of HCV infection

Abstract

HCV chronic infection is characterized by possible development of both hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations. The infection by this both hepatotropic and lymphotropic virus is responsible for polyoligoclonal B-lymphocyte expansion, leading to several immune-mediated disorders. Mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome that in some cases may evolve to frank B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the prototype of HCV-driven autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. The HCV oncogenic potential has been suggested by several clinicoepidemiological and laboratory studies; it includes hepatocellular carcinoma, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and papillary thyroid cancer. The definition HCV syndrome refers to the complex of HCV-driven diseases; these latter are characterized by heterogeneous geographical distribution, suggesting a role of other important genetic and/or environmental cofactors. The natural history of HCV syndrome is the result of a multifactorial and multistep pathogenetic process, which may evolve from mild manifestations to systemic autoimmune disorders, and less frequently to malignant neoplasias. The present updated review analyzes the clinical and pathogenetic aspects of the main HCV-associated diseases.

Thyroid Involvement in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients with/without Mixed Cryoglobulinemia

“…Subsequently, thyroid cancer was first reported also in patients with HCV infection regardless of the presence of other HCV-related manifestations (21); this finding supported the hypothesis of the oncogenic potential of HCV through the direct infection of thyrocytes with the possible contribution of the pathogenetic process responsible for AT (22, 23). Essentially, this latter reproduces the same multistep process already demonstrated for HCV lymphotropism with “benign” B-cell proliferation and subsequent lymphomagenesis (6, 7). …”

Mille-feuille paper: a novel type of filter architecture for advanced virus separation applications

“…6 According to the WHO, moderately to severely infectious water-borne viral pathogens are numerous and include adenovirus, astrovirus, echovirus, hepatitis viruses, rotavirus, caliciviruses (including norovirus), enteroviruses (including coxsackieviruses and polioviruses), polyomaviruses, cytomegalovirus, influenza viruses and coronaviruses. 11 Regardless of the socioeconomic status of a country, illnesses due to contaminated drinking water are considered significantly underreported since physicians are exposed only to the most severe cases. 9 Other diseases spread by water-borne viruses may include encephalitis, aseptic meningitis (echoviruses), myocarditis (enteroviruses), and hepatitis (hepatitis A and E viruses).…”

Association of BAFF −871C/T Promoter Polymorphism with Hepatitis C-Related Mixed Cryoglobulinemia in a Cohort of Egyptian Patients

“…It is strongly associated with the type II immunoglobulin M kappa MC. The most frequent presentation is proteinuria with microscopic hematuria and a variable degree of renal insufficiency [8,9].…”