Cryoglobulinemia

Cryoglobulinemia is the presence of abnormal proteins that are occasionally found in the blood of people with some forms of autoimmune diseases, multiple myeloma, leukemia, and certain forms of pneumonia. The proteins cause the blood to gel at low temperatures causing tissue necrosis.

Causes: Type 1 cryoglobulinemia is often associated with lymphoma. Type 2 cryoglobulinemia is often associated with hepatitis C infection. Drug usage is a prime risk factor for patients with cryoglobulinemia. Hepatitis C is acquired by injection drug use (needle–sharing), tainted blood products, and (probably rarely), sexual transmission.

Symptoms may include a rash on the lower limbs, arthritis, nerve damage and tissue necrosis of affected areas.

Treating the hepatitis may be an effective therapy for this type of vasculitis.