title: Reactivation of severe, acute pulmonary tuberculosis during treatment with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin for chronic HCV hepatitis.
abstract: The unexpected observation of severe pulmonary tuberculosis after a 7-month combined pegylated interferon-ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C, prompted us to search an eventual immunodeficiency (lymphopenia and/or depletion of CD4+ T-lymphocytes. The retrieval of a chest radiograph incidentally performed 11 y before and showing a probable primary tuberculosis, paralleled a negligible clinical history. The enlargement of interferon indications needs careful evaluation for prior (usually missed) tuberculosis, to prevent or avoid its possible reactivation. Latent tuberculosis is increasingly reported because of extended life expectancy, immigration, and recent availability of cure for multiple chronic disorders, which are often borne by primary-secondary immunodeficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabbatani
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: Ginevra
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marinacci
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavoni
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cristoni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiodo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin