[Peripheral neuropathy during a second cycle of treatment with high doses of interferon-alpha in a patient with hepatitis C, and a review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
Alpha interferons (IFN a) have been shown to be effective in patients with chronic active hepatitis C. IFN a treatment may be associated with neurologic complications, including peripheral neuropathy.


METHODS
We describe a patient with active hepatitis C treated with IFN a, who developed peripheral neuropathy after a second cicle of treatment with interferon. He received a first cicle of treatment with IFN a during 22 weeks (6 MU/day 3 times a week). Afther that he did not received treatment during one year and then he received the second cycle (6 MU/day 3 times a week). After 3 months of therapy the patient complained about paresthesias of both legs.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN a related neuropathy is probably rare; however, some cases may be misdiagnosed. Diagnosis of IFN a related neuropathy should be considered by physicians, particularly in patients given longterm treatment and high IFN a dosage. In this case we think that the patient had an acumulative efectt of interferon though he did not received treatment with interferon during one year.
Téllez-Zenteno
J F
JF
Departamento de Neurología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México. liztellez@correo.unam.mx
Negrete-Pulido
O
O
Nuñez
M
M
Estañol-Vidal
B
B
García-Ramos
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha