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.
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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)
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Chemical References |
- Interferon-alpha
- Prednisolone
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Topics |
- Adult
- Female
- Hepatitis B
(complications, immunology)
- Hepatitis, Chronic
(complications, immunology)
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Prednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Vasculitis
(drug therapy, immunology, virology)
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