[Cutaneous vasculitis with renal impairment complicating interferon-beta 1a therapy for multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous tolerance of the interferon beta used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is good. However, among the rare adverse effects, vasculitis and glomerular impairment have been described for interferon beta-1b.


METHODS
A 36-year-old woman had been given subcutaneous injections of interferon beta 1-1a (Rebif, Serono) three times a week for ten weeks. A local transient cutaneous erythema was observed at the injection's sites. A few days after a new injection a erythematous plaques developed at the injection sites followed by pruritus, then purpura with edema on the leg in addition to an increase in body weight of 3 kg. Biological data showed proteinuria and hematuria. The histology study of skin specimens suggested non-specific lymphocytic vasculitis. Outcome was favorable after discontinuing interferon beta-1a.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiology of the cutaneous and renal impairment is not formally established but the drug-induced hypothesis is proposed for interferon beta-1a.
Débat Zoguéreh
D
D
Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Générale (CHG) Jacques Coeur, Bourges. david.debat_zoguereh@libertysurf.fr
Boucraut
J
J
Beau-Salinas
F
F
Bodiguel
E
E
Lechapois
D
D
Pomet
E
E
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a