[Autoimmunization induced by interferon alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C].
We report the case of a 56 year-old woman with post-transfusion chronic hepatitis C who presented with a severe ALT flare up associated with a rapid progression of liver fibrosis during interferon alpha 2b therapy. Several hypotheses were considered to explain the etiology of this ALT flare: there was no viral super infection by other hepatotropic viruses, no toxic hepatitis, no metabolic disease, and no other specific liver diseases could be identified. HLA typing showed a specific profile A1 B8 DR3 (risk factor of auto-immunization during interferon alpha therapy) with antinuclear antibodies and anti smooth muscle antibodies. This case suggests that auto-immunization induced by interferon alpha should be investigated in case of ALT flare that is not followed by an HCV breakthrough.
Rocca
Pierre
P
Service d'Hépatologie et de Gastro-Entérologie, Hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Lyon.
Codes
Liana
L
Chevallier
Michèle
M
Trépo
Christian
C
Zoulim
Fabien
F
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins