Celiac disease onset after pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
Report of a case of a woman patient who developed celiac disease after pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin use for chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
A 34-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 3, receiving pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin for 6 months, developed progressive malaise and anemia 6 months after the end of treatment.


RESULTS
Additional investigation revealed duodenal villous atrophy and positivity for anti-endomysium and anti-gliadin antibodies. Celiac disease diagnosis was performed and symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved after gluten-free diet.


CONCLUSIONS
Celiac disease must be ruled out in patients with malabsorption complaints in or after interferon (or pegylated interferon) therapy. Screening for celiac disease with detection of anti-endomysium antibodies would be done in susceptible patients.
Martins
Elson V
EV
Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, SP, Brazil. elson.vidal@iron.com.br
Gaburri
Ana K
AK
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a