Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis
Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is a form of inflammation affecting the blood vessels caused by the deposition of abnormal proteins called cryoglobulins in the blood vessels, in patients affected by mixed cryoglobulinemia (type 2 and 3), since simple or type 1 cryoglobulinemia does not cause complement activation (but a hyperviscosity syndrome only). Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis affects the skin and causes a rash in roughly 15% of people with detectable circulating cryoglobulin proteins.: 835  Additionally, the kidneys may be affected by this form of vasculitis resulting in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Fevers, painful muscles and joints, and peripheral nerve damage are other common manifestations of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Due to deposition of complement (in particular, C4), low levels of circulating complement factors may be seen.

See also
Cryoglobulinemia
Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis
Skin lesion

References


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