Acute alveolar haemorrhage in hepatitis C-related cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis

We describe a patient with untreated hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection presenting with pulmonary renal syndrome. He rapidly developed bilateral lung infiltrates and respiratory failure, and bronchoscopy confirmed acute alveolar haemorrhage secondary to cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. Early bronchoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and consequent institution of immunosuppressive therapy led to excellent outcomes, which otherwise is reported in the literature to carry significant mortality. Therefore, in patients with HCV presenting with bilateral lung infiltrates, physicians must maintain a high degree of clinical suspicion for alveolar haemorrhage secondary to cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis.

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