Haemolytic anaemia to the alpha-interferon treatment: a proposed mechanism.
Auto-immune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) has been found in a case of alpha-interferon treatment. Serum antibody and eluate were positive in the absence of the drug. Although the patient recovered after the treatment was stopped, DAGT remained positive for at least 8 months. The mechanism proposed to explain why this drug induced AIHA is similar to that proposed for alpha-methyl-dopa. Drugs could alter the red cell membrane and impair the immune system. Such changes have been observed with alpha-interferon and were related with increased autoimmunity.
Barbolla
L
L
Department of Haematology-Haemotherapy, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
Paniagua
C
C
Outeiriño
J
J
Prieto
E
E
Sánchez Fayos
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male
D016898:Interferon-alpha