Sarcoidosis associated with interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha ) is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Pulmonary side effects of IFN-alpha therapy seem to be rare. So far, only a few cases of sarcoidosis in association with IFN-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C have been

CASE REPORT:

A 52-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C developed sarcoidosis during treatment with IFN-alpha. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis was based on chest imaging studies, the increased serum angiotensin converting enzyme levels, and the histology of a biopsied cervical lymph node. Spontaneous remission was observed following IFN-alpha withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONS:

Use of recombinant IFN-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C may trigger or contribute to the development of sarcoidosis in susceptible individuals. Patients should be monitored during and following IFN-alpha therapy for the occurrence of manifestations suggesting sarcoidosis.

• Authors: Dimitrios Papaioannides, Marianthi Fotinou, Panagiotis Korantzopoulos, Panagiota Latsi, Demetrios Sinapidis, Nikolaos Akritidis, Dora Orphanidou
• Journal: Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research (Med Sci Monit) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. CS5-7 (Jan 2004) ISSN: 1234-1010 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14704637 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects)
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects)
• Lung Diseases (diagnosis, etiology)
• Middle Aged
• Recombinant Proteins
• Sarcoidosis (diagnosis, etiology)