Photo-distributed lichenoid eruption secondary to direct anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C.

Abstract

Novel direct anti-viral agents are emerging as effective treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and provide an alternative to the year-long standard therapy with interferon and ribavirin. However, cutaneous side effects from these new medications, including rash, pruritus and photosensitivity, are among the most commonly reported adverse events and have resulted in therapy discontinuation in some cases. Here, we report two cases of a photo-distributed lichenoid eruption that occurred within 1  month of starting anti-viral therapy with simeprevir and sofosbuvir without interferon or ribavirin. This report provides the first histologic description of the cutaneous eruption associated with direct anti-viral therapy for HCV and highlights the importance of recognizing and treating the often intolerable dermatologic side effects of these novel medications, the incidence of which is likely to increase as direct anti-viral agents may become the standard of care for HCV.

• Authors: Cory L Simpson, Drew McCausland, Emily Y Chu
• Journal: Journal of cutaneous pathology (J Cutan Pathol) Vol. 42 Issue 10 Pg. 769-73 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1600-0560 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25974215 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Simeprevir
• Sofosbuvir

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Biopsy
• Drug Eruptions (etiology)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy, pathology, virology)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Lichenoid Eruptions (chemically induced, pathology, virology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Simeprevir (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Sofosbuvir (administration & dosage, adverse effects)