Transient symptomatic cryoglobulinemia in gram-negative bacteria infections
Galli, M.; Monti, G.; Cereda, U.G.; Del Giudice, G.; Fiorenza, A.M.; Invernizzi, F.
Bollettino dell'Istituto Sieroterapico Milanese 63(1): 57-60
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2547 PMID: 6477723 Document Number: 226178
Mixed polyclonal cryoglobulinemia was observed in seven patients suffering from severe gram-negative bacterial infections and/or septicaemias and presenting with arthralgia and purpuric manifestations on admission. Cryoglobulins disappeared after recovery from infection in all of them and were never found during a longterm follow-up. In our opinion, gram-negative bacteria may induce the synthesis of cryoglobulins via a non-specific T-independent B-cell stimulation triggered by cell-wall lipopolysaccharides. This kind of infections, especially if chronic or relapsing, might play a role in the aetiology of some so-called essential mixed cryoglobulinemias.