Abstract | INTRODUCTION: CASE PRESENTATION: A genotype 3 HCV-positive liver transplant recipient, a 42-year-old man, was treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (180 µg/week) combined with ribavirin (1,200 mg/day) for recurrence of HCV infection after liver transplantation. He presented with hyperferritinemia but tested negative for genetic hemochromatosis (C282Y and H63D mutations). During antiviral therapy, he developed skin lesions on his hands characterized by vesicles and erosions consistent with PCT. PCT was confirmed by skin biopsy and elevated urinary uroporphyrin levels (1,469 mg/24 h). He was treated with chloroquine (200 mg) twice weekly, resulting in gradual regression of the skin lesions. Antiviral treatment was stopped after 48 weeks, and the patient achieved a sustained virological response. In conclusion, we report an extremely rare case of PCT in a genotype 3 HCV-positive liver transplant patient treated with antiviral therapy. We believe that the combination of HCV genotype 3 infection; hemolysis due to ribavirin treatment; and increased plasma levels of cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNFα, could have altered the patient's iron metabolism and thus caused PCT.
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Authors | Adriano M Pellicelli, Aldo Morrone, Luca Barbieri, Arnaldo Andreoli |
Journal | Annals of hepatology
(Ann Hepatol)
2012 Nov-Dec
Vol. 11
Issue 6
Pg. 951-4
ISSN: 1665-2681 [Print] Mexico |
PMID | 23109461
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Interferon-alpha
- Recombinant Proteins
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Ribavirin
- Chloroquine
- peginterferon alfa-2a
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Biopsy
- Chloroquine
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Genotype
- Hemolysis
(drug effects)
- Hepacivirus
(genetics)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Iron Metabolism Disorders
(etiology)
- Liver Cirrhosis
(drug therapy, virology)
- Liver Failure
(diagnosis, surgery, virology)
- Liver Transplantation
(adverse effects)
- Male
- Polyethylene Glycols
(therapeutic use)
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
(diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
- Recombinant Proteins
(therapeutic use)
- Recurrence
- Ribavirin
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Treatment Outcome
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