Objective. To evaluate the subpopulation composition of memory T-cells in patients with chronic infection caused by HCV (HCV-infection) and accompanied by cryoglobulinemia (CGE) and vasculitis (CGEV).

Materials and methods. The study included 18 patients with chronic HCV-infection and CGE registered in Minsk City Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital. The populations of memory T-cell — CD3+CCR7+CD45RO+ central memory
T-cells, CD3+CCR7–CD45RO+ effector memory T-cells, CD3+CCR7–CD45RO — terminally differentiated effector memory T-cells (TEMRA), CD3+CCR7+ CD45RO — naive memory T cells – were identified by flow cytofluorimetry.

Results. The patients with chronic HCV-infection accompanied by CGE and CGEV development showed changes in the overall distribution of the memory T-cells phenotypes in the systemic circulation characterized by a low percentage of naive and central CD4+ and CD8+ cells (early differentiation phenotypes) in combination with a high percentage of effector and terminally differentiated effector CD4+ and CD8+ memory T-cells (phenotypes of late differentiation).

Conclusion. The data obtained indicate at the accelerated nonspecific T-cell differentiation that can lead to the CGB and CGEV formation in patients with chronic HCV infection.