Lichen planus and leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by interferon alpha-2b in a subject with HCV-related chronic active hepatitis.
Lichen planus (LP) has been reported in association with chronic active hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases. The occurrence of LP in persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV) was reported by Robert et al., and the possible relationship between LP and hepatitis virus has also been supported by cases of LP following hepatitis B vaccination. Exacerbation or appearance of LP during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, lymphoproliferative diseases and melanoma with alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) and improvement of these diseases after discontinuation of this drug indicate that IFN-alpha may possibly induce LP. We present a case of cutaneo-mucous LP in a woman with chronic active hepatitis treated with IFN-alpha and in whom local leukocytoclastic vasculitis was induced by the intradermal injection of a very low dose of IFN-alpha.
Pinto
J M de Sousa
JM
University Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medical Sciences and H. de Pulido Valente, Lisbon, Portugal. jorgemspinto@netcabo.pt
Marques
M Sacramento
MS
Correia
T Estanislau
TE
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins