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Table 3 Proposed criteria for the classification of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) patients.

From: Mixed cryoglobulinemia

Criteria

Serological

Pathological

Clinical

major

mixed cryoglobulins

low C4

leukocytoclastic vasculitis

purpura

minor

rheumatoid factor +

HCV +

HBV +

clonal B-cell infiltrates

(liver and/or bone marrow)

chronic hepatitis

MPGN

peripheral neuropathy

skin ulcers

definite mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome:

a) serum mixed cryoglobulins (± low C4) + purpura + leukocytoclastic vasculitis

b) serum mixed cryoglobulins (± low C4)+ 2 minor clinical symptoms

+ 2 minor serological/pathological findings

essential or secondary mixed cryoglobulinemia:

absence or presence of well-known disorders (infectious, immunological or neoplastic)

  1. HCV+ or HBV+: markers of hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus infection (anti-HCV ± HCV RNA; HBV DNA or HBsAg); MPGN: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.