Interferon-ribavirin-associated ischemic colitis.

Abstract

Interferon-alpha and ribavirin are widely used treatments for chronic hepatitis C. It is believed to be a cytokine made by T lymphocytes upon activation by foreign antigens. Complications of interferon and ribavirin therapy include systemic flulike symptoms, marrow suppression, emotional liability, auto immune reactions (especially auto immune thyroiditis) and miscellaneous side effects such as alopecia, rashes, diarrhea, numbness, and tingling of the extremities. With the possible exception of autoimmune thyroiditis, all these side effects are reversed upon dose lowering or cessation of therapy. We report a case of a 51-year-old man, with no previous history of vascular disease, who developed ischemic colitis after interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C. In the literature, there have been only 2 published accounts associating interferon-alpha use with ischemic colitis in 2 patients. This report illustrates a better association of interferon-alpha and ribavirin with ischemic colitis.

• Authors: Sujeeth R Punnam, Vijayasimha R Pothula, Nandu Gourineni, Aparna Punnam, Venkateshan Ranganathan
• Journal: Journal of clinical gastroenterology (J Clin Gastroenterol) Vol. 42 Issue 3 Pg. 323-5 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 0192-0790 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18223489 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon-alpha
• Ribavirin

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Biopsy
• Colitis, Ischemic (chemically induced, diagnosis, therapy)
• Colon (pathology)
• Colonoscopy
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Ribavirin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)