Chronic hepatitis C associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Background: Two patients were admitted to Mie Prefectural General Medical Center and diagnosed as chronic hepatitis C complicated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Methods: The MGUS class were immunoglobulin (Ig)G. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genotype was Ib. Based on these findings, they were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis C complicated with MGUS. Results: Histological studies showed chronic hepatitis in the liver and a mild rise in plasma cells without dysplasia and abnormalities in the bone marrow. Serum examination for cryoglobulin was negative. Conclusion: Chronic HCV infection might play a pathogenic role in the multistage process leading to lymphoproliferative disorders. (C) 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.