Neutropenic enterocolitis: An unusual complication of HCV combination therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin.

Abstract

Drug induced neutropenia as a consequence of intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancies and solid tumors is known to be associated with severe, life-threatening infections such as neutropenic enterocolitis. However, the neutropenia associated with HCV combination therapy with Pegylated Interferon [PEG-IFN] and ribavirin is considered to be well tolerated in patients without other co-morbidities. We present a case of a severe gastrointestinal complication in a patient receiving HCV combination therapy and advocate caution in continuing therapy in patients with neutropenia, especially in the presence of underlying co-morbidities such as cirrhosis.

• Authors: Krishna S Kasturi, Rajasekhara R Mummadi, Gagan K Sood
• Journal: European journal of internal medicine (Eur J Intern Med) Vol. 19 Issue 5 Pg. 372-3 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 1879-0828 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 18549944 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Ribavirin
• Filgrastim
• peginterferon alfa-2a

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antiviral Agents
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Enterocolitis, Neutropenic (chemically induced, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Filgrastim
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (therapeutic use)
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols (adverse effects)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (adverse effects)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed