title: Spectrum of pulmonary toxicity associated with the use of interferon therapy for hepatitis C: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of liver disease in the United States, and current recommendations for its treatment include the use of interferon (IFN). Pulmonary side effects, although uncommon, have been reported in association with the use of IFN. We report a case of interstitial granulomatous pneumonitis that occurred after therapy with IFN and ribavirin, and we review the literature concerning this entity and other forms of IFN-associated pulmonary toxicity in patients with hepatitis C. The purpose of the present study is to increase awareness of the unusually wide spectrum of pulmonary toxicities associated with the use of IFN and ribavirin, with the anticipation that IFN will be used more frequently in the future for the treatment of hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Temple, Texas 76508, USA. jmidturi@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Midturi
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sierra-Hoffman
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winn
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beissner
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carpenter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons