title: Pernicious anemia during IFN-alpha treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Medicine and Social Security, Institute of Infectious Diseases (Ed. 18), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. borgia@unina.it
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borgia
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reynaud
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borrelli
authors.forename: Raimondo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cerini
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciampi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piazza
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014805:Vitamin B 12