title: Capillaritis associated with interferon-alfa treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.
abstract: We report the case of a 36-year-old man who was referred with an asymptomatic eruption that started on both lower legs. This started shortly after being commenced on interferon-alfa for chronic hepatitis secondary to hepatitis C. Clinically, the eruption was consistent with a capillaritis (pigmented purpuric dermatosis). Histology confirmed this to be lymphocytic vasculitis. Lymphocytic vasculitis is frequently identified in the salivary glands of patients who are hepatitis C positive. Although leukocytoclastic vasculitis confined to the skin is frequently reported with hepatitis C, lymphocytic vasculitis is rarely reported. We consider that the lymphocytic vasculitis in our patient occurred as a result of interferon-alfa treatment because of the strong temporal relationship between the onset of the skin eruption and drug therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Western Infirmary, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha