[Cryoglobulinemia and hepatitis c: worsening of peripheral neuropathy after interferon alpha treatment].
We report 4 cases of peripheral neuropathy induced by type II IgM kappa mixed cryoglobulinemia associated with hepatitis C virus infection. Worsening of peripheral neuropathy was observed 2 to 13 weeks after the initiation of interferon. The evolution of the hepatic and neurological diseases did not coincide, as all patients decreased or normalized transaminases with interferon. After stopping interferon, peripheral neuropathy worsened (1 case), stabilized (1 case), improved (2 cases). Low doses of interferon alpha may cause worsening of peripheral neuropathy in patients with hepatitis C virus infection associated with mixed cryoglobulinemia.
Lidove
O
O
Service de Médecine Interne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris.
Cacoub
P
P
Hausfater
P
P
Wechsler
B
B
Frances
C
C
Leger
J M
JM
Piette
J C
JC
D000368:Aged; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000097:blood; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D016898:Interferon-alpha
Cryoglobulinémie et hépatite C: aggravation de la neuropathie périphérique après prise d'interféron alpha.