CRYOGLOBULINS

[= IMMUNOGLOBULINS WHICH PRECIPITATE REVERSIBLY AT LOW TEMPERATURES]

monoclonal [= type 1]:

multiple myeloma [IgG, IgA; commonest cause]

Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia [IgM]

CLL and other lymphoproliferative disorders

angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy

idiopathic

mixed [type 2 = monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factor + polyclonal IgG; type 3 = polyclonal IgM, IgG and C3]:

infections:

viral:

hepatitis B and C

Ebstein-Barr virus

cytomegalovirus

bacterial:

subacute bacterial endocarditis

leprosy

post-streptococcal nephritis

syphilis

Lyme disease

intestinal bypass

parasitic:

schistosomiasis

toxoplasmosis

malaria

kala-azar

autoimmune diseases:

systemic lupus erythematosus

rheumatoid arthritis

polyarteritis nodosa

Sjögren's syndrome

scleroderma

lymphoproliferative disorders:

macroglobulinaemia

various lymphomas

chronic lymphatic leukaemia

angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy

renal disease:

proliferative glomerulonephritis

liver disease:

chronic hepatitis

biliary cirrhosis

Laennec's cirrhosis

other:

familial

mixed essential cryoglobulinaemia [type 2 cryoglobulins]

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