Anterior uveitis after treatment of hepatitis C with alpha interferon: the recurrence of a previous inflammatory process due to presumed ocular toxocariasis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report a case of recurrent unilateral presumed ocular toxocariasis after treatment of hepatitis C.

DESIGN:

Case study.

METHODS:

Clinical findings, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and serological tests were performed. Once diagnosis was made, effective treatment was administered.

RESULTS:

A 46-year-old woman with a long history of decreased unilateral visual acuity presented with anterior uveitis after the use of interferon alpha and ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C. A biomicroscopic examination revealed active anterior uveitis, with ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrating a central granuloma due to partially calcified toxocariasis. After treatment with corticosteroids and cycloplegics, the symptoms were alleviated.

CONCLUSION:

immunostimulation could cause a relapse of the inflammatory reaction found in uveitis due to toxocariasis.

• Authors: Eduardo F Damasceno, Nadyr A Damasceno
• Journal: Ocular immunology and inflammation (Ocul Immunol Inflamm) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 53-5 (Feb 2012) ISSN: 1744-5078 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22324899 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Letter)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Helminth
• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon-alpha

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Helminth (analysis)
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Eye Infections, Parasitic (complications, diagnosis, parasitology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Larva Migrans
• Microscopy, Acoustic
• Middle Aged
• Recurrence
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Toxocara canis (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Toxocariasis (complications, diagnosis, parasitology)
• Uveitis, Anterior (chemically induced, diagnosis)