Adult respiratory distress syndrome after treatment with pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin.
Pulmonary manifestations of interferon (IFN) use are a rare but well known complication seen with both standard and pegylated interferon alpha-2b (pegIFNalpha-2b) forms of the agent. These are generally of modest intensity and reversible. We report the first case of fulminant adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (pegIFNalpha-2a) and ribavirin use for hepatitis C, complicated by subsequent and ultimately fatal sepsis and multiorgan failure. Practicing gastroenterologists and intensivists alike need to be aware of the potential for serious pulmonary sequelae with the use of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C viral (CHCV) infections.
Vartany
Edmond
E
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT 06520-8057, USA.
Caldwell
Cary A
CA
Trow
Terence K
TK
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a