Viral replication was evaluated by PCR in the serum of 25 subjects with HCV-associated arthritis. Active replication resulted in 16 cases, only 10 of which presenting hypertransaminasemia. A significant correlation appeared between serum Rheumatoid Factor concentrations and viral replication only in 7 patients with hypertransaminasemia. These data suggest that the onset of arthritis in this infection is due to an autoimmune mechanism, not linked to the HCV replication.
SawadaTHiroataSInoueTItoK. Development of arthritis after Hepatitis C Virus infection. Arthritis Rheum1991; 34:1620–1.
2.
BuskilaD. Hepatitis C-associated arthritis. Curr Op Rheumatol2000; 12:295–9.
3.
Loustaud-RattiVLunelF. Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection. Rev Prat2000; 50:1089–93.
4.
McMurrayRWElbourneK. Hepatitis C virus infection and autoimmunity. Seminars Arthritis Rheum1997; 4:99689–701.
5.
ZignegoALMacchiaDMontiMThiersVMazzettiMFoschiM. Infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by hepatitis C virus. J Hepatol1992; 15:382–6.
6.
KotterJMullerCAEinseleHMohrenMKanzL. Interferon-alpha-associated polyarthritis. Possible induction of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis by interferon-alpha: Two case reports and review of the literature. Z Rheumatol1999; 58:185–95.
7.
KesselARosnerIZuckermanEGolanTDToubiE. Use of antikeratin antibodies to distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and polyarthritis associated with hepatitis C infection. J Rheumatol2000; 27:610–2.
8.
GirelliFFoschiFGTedeschiECalderoniVStefaniniGFMartinelliMG. Is anti cyclic citrullinated peptide a useful laboratory test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?Allerg Immunol2004; 36:127–30.
9.
TarantinoGRiccioASpanòALoiGPadulaSLa doganaPPostiglioneLScarpaR. HCV infection and chronic arthritis: Does viral replication matter?Hepatol Res2006; 35:238–41.
10.
ChuHWDashSGerberMA. Genomic and replicative hepatitis C virus RNA sequences and histological activity in chronic hepatitis C. Hum Pathol1994; 25:160–3.
