title: Axonal neuropathy associated with interferon-alpha treatment for hepatitis C: HLA-DR immunoreactivity in Schwann cells.
abstract: A 44-year-old man developed a peripheral neuropathy during treatment with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C. The onset was insidious, beginning symmetrically in the hands with paresthesia. Neurophysiological investigation revealed a predominantly sensory axonal neuropathy. A sural nerve biopsy confirmed primary axonal damage. Immunofluorescence studies showed increased expression of HLA-DR molecules prevalently on Schwann cells of non-myelin-forming type.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quattrini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nemni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caimi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wrabetz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Canal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins