Sarcoidosis occurring after interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C: report of two cases.
We report two patients who were diagnosed with sarcoidosis after receiving interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C, and conduct a review the relevant literature. The first patient was a 52-year-old female who developed multiple subcutaneous nodules 2 months after finishing IFN-alpha therapy. A skin biopsy from subcutaneous nodules on the right elbow joint revealed sarcoid granulomata. These lesions resolved spontaneously 4 months later. The second patient, a 57-year-old male, developed bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement 2 years after finishing IFN-alpha 2a therapy. A transbronchial lung biopsy demonstrated sarcoid granulomata. In addition, he had uveitis and left ulnar nerve involvement. His eye and nerve involvement gradually improved over 20 months. It is feasible that IFN therapy has been a trigger for sarcoidosis in these patients.
Hirano
Atsushi
A
Department of Internal Medicine II, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama, Japan. ka-hirano@mug.biglobe.ne.jp
Kataoka
Mikio
M
Nakata
Yasunari
Y
Takeda
Katsuyuki
K
Kamao
Takayuki
T
Hiramatsu
Junichi
J
Kimura
Goro
G
Tanimoto
Yasushi
Y
Kanehiro
Arihiko
A
Tanimoto
Mitsune
M
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* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha