To specify immunological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated with hepatitis B, C viruses (HBV, HCV) and cryoglobulinemia (CGE).
Four groups of patients with verified RA were examined immunologically: infected with HCV, infected with HBV, with CGE diagnosed by the capillary method, free of HBV, HCV, CGE. CGE was estimated by the spectrophotometric method, functional activity of the complement components--by hemolytic micromethod. Polymerase chain reaction, identification of serological markers of viral hepatitides B and C were conducted with application of commercial kits produced in Russia.
In RA patients infected with HBV and HCV, functional activity of the complement was significantly reduced. RA patients with hepatitis C and CGE showed hypoactivity of all the complement components. A classic course of RA was associated with elevated levels of C1 and C3 components in normal values of C1q, C2, C4 and C5 components. CGE was highest in RA+HCV and RA+CGE groups.
The study of immunological features of RA associated with HCV, HBV and CGE is important not only in scientific but also in practical aspect as it indicates the necessity of treating the above conditions with drugs which do not suppress complement system significantly.