title: Onset of coeliac disease during treatment with interferon for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: The immunomodulatory properties of interferon may concur to precipitate or worsen an underlying autoimmune disorders. We report the cases of two men who displayed the various features of coeliac disease during a treatment with 4-interferon (in one case associated with ribavirin) for chronic hepatitis C. The patients stopped the interferon treatment and the symptoms and histological disorders improved after a gluten-free diet. Alpha-interferon is available worldwide for treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Before treatment with this drug, the patients would have to be monitored for coeliac disease.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cammarota
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cuoco
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha