title: Sarcoidosis caused by interferon therapy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. celik@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
authors.forename: Göhkan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: A Fusun
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ulger
authors.forename: Ozlem Ozdemir
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Kumbasar
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bozkaya
authors.forename: Doganay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alper
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karayalcin
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha