2010 Volume 72 Issue 5 Pages 478-481
A 66-year-old woman visited our outpatient clinic in September 2005 for purpura with infiltration on her legs. A pathological diagnosis of leuocytoclastic vasculitis was made from a skin biopsy. Serological tests indicated cryoglobulinemia and a high titer of RA factor, HCV-Ab positive, HCV-RNA 2700 IU/ml. A clinical diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia associated with chronic hepatitis C was made. With conservative treatment, the skin lesions regressed, but purpura recurred about 2 years and six month later, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis appeared at the same time. This prompt diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease were important, and attention was necessary to detect the emergence of the renal disease.
