Infectious Diseases

Answer 8 Pegylated interferon. EMC, also called type II cryoglobulinemia, is often induced by HCV infection. For a progressive systemic disease such as EMC, active therapy with pegylated interferon is indicated. Plasmapheresis is a therapeutic option in patients with acute severe disease. Therapy for hepatitis C, including combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, has been shown to be beneficial in patients with EMC; however, patients may experience disease recurrence following completion of therapy. Ribavirin is contraindicated in the setting of renal insufficiency, but it has been used successfully in low doses in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency.6 REFERENCE 6. Kalia H, Lopez PM, Martin P. Treatment of HCV in patients with renal failure. Arch Med Res 2007;(6):628-33. Click here to return to the questions

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