title: The development of hepatic granulomas following interferon-alpha2b therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection.
abstract: Hepatic granulomas have been detected in cases of chronic hepatitis C virus (CHCV) infection. Here we report upon three selected cases of CHCV infection who were treated with IFN alpha, in whom hepatic granulomas were absent on initial liver biopsies, but in whom granulomas developed following IFN alpha therapy. In one case, complete regression of these granulomas was noted 17 months following discontinuation of treatment, more strongly implicating IFN alpha in the aetiopathogenesis of such granulomas in this case. These findings suggest that IFN alpha may have a biological role in the pathogenesis of granulomatous liver disease in these patients. All three cases were poor/non-responders to IFN alpha, suggesting that the development of hepatic granulomas during IFN alpha therapy may be associated with a poor response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, St. James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pilkington
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelleher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins