Pernicious anemia during IFN-alpha treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
Some latent diseases, such as immune disorders, can appear during interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy. These disorders are difficult to predict because of their low prevalence in the general population. We describe a case of pernicious anemia (PA) in a patient affected by chronic hepatitis C and macrocytosis during IFN-alpha therapy. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration reached 7.3 g/dl. Anti-intrinsic factor (IF) antibodies were present, but not antiparietal cell antibodies (APCA). Suspension of IFN-alpha and administration of vitamin B(12) resulted in normal Hb concentrations. This case is the first instance of early PA (at the second month of IFN therapy) in a patient affected by chronic hepatitis C. The only other case of PA in a patient affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection occurred during the second year of maintenance IFN therapy. We recommend that particular attention be paid to such clinical and laboratory conditions as macrocytosis in administering IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
Borgia
Guglielmo
G
Department of Public Medicine and Social Security, Institute of Infectious Diseases (Ed. 18), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. borgia@unina.it
Reynaud
Laura
L
Gentile
Ivan
I
Borrelli
Francesco
F
Cerini
Raimondo
R
Ciampi
Rocco
R
Piazza
Marcello
M
D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014805:Vitamin B 12