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Crioglobulinemia - Overview

Definición:

Es la presencia de proteínas anormales en la sangre, las cuales se vuelven espesas o gelatinosas en temperaturas frías.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

Las crioglobulinas son anticuerpos y aún no se sabe por qué se vuelven sólidas a bajas temperaturas. Cuando se vuelven espesas o algo gelatinosas, pueden bloquear los vasos sanguíneos en todo el cuerpo, lo cual puede llevar a complicaciones que van desde erupciones cutáneas hasta insuficiencia renal.

La crioglobulinemia es parte de un grupo de enfermedades que causan vasculitis: daño e inflamación de los vasos sanguíneos en todo el cuerpo. El trastorno se agrupa en tres tipos principales, dependiendo del tipo de anticuerpo que sea producido.

  • Crioglobulinemia tipo I
  • Crioglobulinemia tipo II
  • Crioglobulinemia tipo III

Los tipos II y III también se denominan crioglobulinemia mixta.

La crioglobulinemia tipo I está relacionada con mayor frecuencia con el cáncer de la sangre o de los sistemas inmunitarios.

Los tipos II y III se encuentran con mayor frecuencia en personas que tengan una afección inflamatoria crónica (prolongada), como una enfermedad autoinmunitaria o hepatitis C. La mayoría de los pacientes con crioglobulinemia mixta tienen una infección por hepatitis C crónica.

Otras afecciones que pueden estar relacionadas con la crioglobulinemia abarcan:

  • Reviewed last on: 1/24/2011
  • Todd Gersten, M.D., Hematology/Oncology, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:1193.

Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2006. 58th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2006:980, 1164.

Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:1392-1393.

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