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Byline: D. Siagris (1), N. Pharmakakis (2), M. Christofidou (3), J.K. Petropoulos (2), C. Vantzou (2), A. Lekkou (1), C.A. Gogos (1), C. Labropoulou-Karatza (1) Keywords: Key Words Hepatitis C virus; Keratoconjuctivitis sicca; Cryoglobulins; Genotypes Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in Greek patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its association with HCV genotypes and liver histology. Patients and Methods: 93 HCVAb (+) patients underwent lacrimal function testing (Schirmer-1 test, break-up time test and Rose-Bengal staining test) and estimation of serum cryoglobulins and autoantibodies. 80 healthy volunteers were included in the study as controls. Results: 34 out of 93 HCV patients (36.6%) and eight out of 80 healthy subjects (10%) had at least two abnormal lacrimal function tests suggestive of KCS (p &lt 0.001). Cryoglobulinemia was evident in 20 patients (21.5%), rheumatoid factor (RF) in 43 (46.2%), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in 19 (20.4%), antinuclear antigens (anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B) in one (1.1%) and two (2.2%) patients, respectively. Reduced prevalence of KCS was found in patients with genotype 3a compared to those with other genotypes (5/30, 16.7% vs 20/42, 47.6%, p = 0.007), probably because of their younger age. In patients with KCS a higher staging score was noted in liver biopsy compared to those without KCS (4.50 +- 1.65 vs 3.06 +- 1.88, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Greek patients with chronic HCV infection have a high prevalence of KCS (36.6%). The tow frequency of antiSS-A and anti-SS-B antibodies in these patients denotes different pathogenetic associations from primary Sjogren's syndrome. Author Affiliation: (1) Dept. of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, 4 Tertseti Str, Patras G-26442, Greece Phone: (+3o/610) 438980, Fax: -993982, e-mail: dsiagris@mland.gr, GR (2) Dept. of Opthalmology, Patras University Hospital, Rio, Greece, GR (3) Dept. of Microbiology, Patras University Hospital, Patras, Greece, GR Article note: Received: May 5, 2001 * Revision accepted: April 4, 2002

The article discusses epidemiology, natural history, treatment and pathogenesis of the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the HIV-infected patients. It demonstrates the need of development of new strategies for the destruction of HCV, as the HCV-related liver disease leads to death of most of the patients.