Peter Jarčuška, Štefan Hrušovský, Eduard Veselíny, Miriam Jarčušková
Renal, dermatological, rheumatological, neurological, hematological, ocular and stomatological complications could occur in patients infected by hepatitis C virus. Main biological abnormalities are mixed cryoglobulinemia and the presence of autoantibodies. Cryoglobulinemia is defined by the presence of abnormal immunoglobulins in serum, that characteristically precipitate in the cold and then redissolve when warmed. It is associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, vasculitis and with the other extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis C. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephriritis with or without cryoglobulinemia is the most common kidney disease in patients infected by hepatitis C virus. The most common presenting clinical symptome is isolated proteinuria, but glomerulonephritis can present with nephrotic syndrome or acute nephritis. Vasculitis, lichen planus and porphyria cutanea tarda are the most important dermatological complications of hepatitis C. The other complications of hepatitis C infection are described and the principles of the therapy are discused in this rewiev.