Incidence of alpha-fodrin antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and sicca syndrome: a prospektive single-center study

Aims: Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is associated with a wide series of extrahepatic manifestations in particular Sjoegren syndrome. Antibodies against alpha-fodrin are associated with sicca syndrome and may be a valuable diagnostic marker in patients with Sjoegren syndrome lacking Ro antibodies. The role of antibodies against alpha-fodrin in HCV-infected patients is unknown. Methods: We examined a total of 129 patients with chronic liver disease: 73 patients with HCV infection (mean age 46,42±16,31) (group A) and 59 patients with autoimmune liver disease (mean age 42,32±14,98) (group B). The clinical and im…