Interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C and chronic renal failure on interferon therapy.

Abstract

After 4-months of alpha interferon (IFN-α), a 64-year old woman with chronic hepatitis C developed a cough and dyspnea and showed diffuse infiltrative opacities on her chest X-ray. Her symptoms persisted after stopping the IFN-α therapy. Pulmonary function testing revealed a reduced forced vital capacity. High-resolution computed tomography of the lung showed peripheral and peribronchovascular ground glass attenuation and consolidation associated with reticulation. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for further evaluation and showed a lymphocyte level of 8.2%, an uncommon finding in IFN-α-induced interstitial pneumonitis. We performed a lung biopsy to diagnose her disease and it suggested interstitial pneumonitis. This was considered to be due to the immunomodulatory effects of INF-α. Although rare, any sign of significant pulmonary involvement should be evaluated.

• Authors: Eun Jung Kang, Dong Kyun Kim, Seong Ran Jeon, Hyun Sook Choi, Soung Won Jeong, Jae Young Jang, Joon Seong Lee, Soo Taek Uh
• Journal: The Korean journal of gastroenterology = Taehan Sohwagi Hakhoe chi (Korean J Gastroenterol) Vol. 58 Issue 1 Pg. 47-52 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 2233-6869 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 21778804 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon-alpha

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (complications)
• Lung Diseases, Interstitial (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed