Immune Dysregulation in Hepatitis C Patients With or Without Arthritis

Immune Dysregulation in Hepatitis C Patients With or Without Arthritis

The purpose of this study is to study the role of the Immune System in causing arthritis in patients with Hepatitis C.

Patients will provide one blood sample after qualifying for the study, and signing consent. The patients will have a skin test TB, Candida, and Trichophyton placed and will read the results themselves and mail back the card with the measurements to be recorded. Labs will test for ESR, CBC, CRP, antiCCP, Cryoglobulins, RF, CH50, C3, C4, Flow cytometry, and would have already been tested for HIV and Hepatitis C.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All adults 18 or older, 20 will have hep C positive with a viral load withen 6 mo. of enrollment.
• Either interferon or antiviral naive or those who failed interferon or antiviral therapy more than 6 mo. prior to enrollment.
• 10 normal healthy controls- Hep C neg and without osteoarthritis (OA).

Exclusion Criteria:

• HIV patients
• Those with concomitant alcoholic liver disease
• Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or other autoimmune disorders.