[Hepatitis-B-associated vasculitis. Clinical course with glucocorticoid and alpha-interferon therapy].

Abstract

A 31-year-old women with chronic active hepatitis B (HBs antigen-positive, HBe antigen-negative) developed a painful petechia rash on both lower legs and the inner surface of the thighs. Histology of a skin biopsy revealed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. The affected skin areas contained HBs antigen and immunoglobulins. Immunosuppressive treatment with initially 60mg/d prednisolone improved the skin condition but activated the chronic hepatitis, GPT rising up to 240 U/l. The steroid treatment had to be discontinued. Subsequently the transaminases became normal but the vasculitis foci recurred. The patient was therefore given alpha-interferon, three times 5 mill. IU weekly subcutaneously for 6 months. The skin lesions disappeared and the circulating HBV-DNA decreased. But the HBs antigen could not be eliminated. It is to be noted that 12 months after the end of the alpha-interferon treatment the vasculitis has not recurred. - This case and published reports indicate that interferon treatment is effective against HBV-associated and immunoglobulin-complex mediated disease.

• Authors: T Glück, P Weber, K H Wiedmann
• Journal: Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) (Dtsch Med Wochenschr) Vol. 119 Issue 41 Pg. 1388-92 (Oct 14 1994) ISSN: 0012-0472 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Hepatitis-B-assoziierte Vaskulitis. Verlauf unter Therapie mit Glucocorticoiden und alpha-Interferon.
• PMID: 7924948 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interferon-alpha
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Hepatitis B (complications, immunology)
• Hepatitis, Chronic (complications, immunology)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Vasculitis (drug therapy, immunology, virology)