Cryoglobulinaemia

Abstract

Cryoglobulins are proteins, usually immunoglobulins that precipitate at temperatures less than 37 degrees C and redissolve on rewarming. Cryoglobulinaemias are classified according to the type of immunoglobulins and are associated with a number of disorders including plasma cell dyscrasias, lymphoproliferative disorders, autoimmune diseases and hepatitis C. The exact pathogenesis of the condition is not known. The clinical manifestations are varied and are due to ischaemia of tissues caused by the occlusion of vessel lumen. This review discusses the clinical manifestations, the current hypotheses of pathogenesis, the role of hepatitis C and finally the possibilities of treatment of the disease.