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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. May 16, 2014; 2(5): 160-166
Published online May 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i5.160
Published online May 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i5.160
Vasculitis with renal involvement in essential mixed cryoglobulinemia: Case report and mini-review
Sabiha Anis, Khawar Abbas, Rana Muzaffar, Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Dewan Farooq Medical Complex, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
Mohammad Mubarak, Department of Histopathology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
Ejaz Ahmed, Sajid Bhatti, Department of Nephrology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
Author contributions: Anis S and Abbas K performed the patient follow-ups for the immunological investigations; Anis S planned and analyzed the laboratory investigations and reports; Mubarak M performed the histopathological diagnosis; Ahmed E and Bhatti S were the attending physicians and finalized the diagnosis; Anis S wrote the initial manuscript; Abbas K edited the manuscript; Anis S, Mubarak M and Muzaffar R performed critical editing of the manuscript and prepared the final draft.
Correspondence to: Sabiha Anis, MCPS, FCPS, Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Dewan Farooq Medical Complex, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, M-9 N-5 Link Rd, Karachi 74200, Pakistan. sabiha_anis@hotmail.com
Telephone: +92-21-32725543 Fax: +92-21-99215469
Received: November 22, 2013
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: April 11, 2014
Published online: May 16, 2014
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: April 11, 2014
Published online: May 16, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The diagnosis of essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) requires thorough laboratory investigation to exclude all possible causes of cryoglobulin formation. Although cryoglobulin testing is simple, it requires careful temperature regulation to avoid false negative results. The testing panel should also include cryoglobulin quantification and characterization, rheumatoid factor activity and complement levels, to better facilitate patient management. Furthermore, there is a need to develop and implement consensus guidelines for laboratory and clinical diagnoses of EMC.