title: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient treated with interferon alfacon-1.
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is an acquired disorder characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and caused by one or more antiplatelet autoantibodies. We present a case of a 20-year-old woman referred to our Unit for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. At week 28 of treatment with interferon (alfacon-1), undetectable HCV RNA and transaminase levels within normal limits, the patient presented with immune thrombocytopenic purpura, which was successfully treated with immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone. Despite the high doses and long life of corticosteroid treatment HCV RNA remained undetectable.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, Saint Savvas Hospital, GR-152 34 Halandri, Athens, Greece. dimdim@otenet.gr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dimitroulopoulos
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Dourakis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xinopoulos
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsamakidis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paraskevas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C050739:interferon alfacon-1