Sarcoidosis caused by interferon therapy.
Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) is an immunomodulator that is used as an antiviral agent in active chronic viral hepatitis C. IFN therapy can cause an induction or exacerbation of sarcoidosis. Although several reports in the gastroenterology literature have suggested an association between IFN therapy and sarcoidosis, this association has rarely been described elsewhere. A 47-year-old woman developed sarcoidosis after cessation of treatment with IFN and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. Her sarcoidosis showed liver, pulmonary and skin involvement. She continues to be monitored regularly in the Department of Pulmonary Diseases without steroid therapy. Her sarcoidosis improved spontaneously. We conclude that patients should be monitored for sarcoidosis during and after IFN therapy.
Celik
Göhkan
G
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. celik@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
Sen
Elif
E
Ulger
A Fusun
AF
Kumbasar
Ozlem Ozdemir
OO
Bozkaya
Hakan
H
Alper
Doganay
D
Karayalcin
Selim
S
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha