Severe exacerbation of hepatitis C-associated vasculitic neuropathy following treatment with interferon alpha: a case report and literature review.
Vasculitic neuropathy may occur in association with chronic hepatitis C infection. Interferon alpha (IFN(alpha)), an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C, can precipitate or worsen autoimmune diseases. We report a patient with chronic hepatitis C and mild indolent vasculitic sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, who developed severe mononeuropathy multiplex soon after IFN(alpha) was initiated, and review the literature on worsening vasculitic neuropathy after IFN(alpha) treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Care should be taken after starting patient with chronic hepatitis C-associated vasculitic neuropathy on IFN(alpha), as there is evidence that IFN(alpha) may exacerbate the neuropathy.
Department of Neurology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5098, USA.
Kanokwan
K
Boonyapisit
Bashar
B
Katirji
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012074:Remission Induction; D013256:Steroids; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D013256:Steroids