title: Adult respiratory distress syndrome after treatment with pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin.
abstract: 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.
authors: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT 06520-8057, USA.
authors: Edmond
authors: E
authors: Vartany
authors: Cary A
authors: CA
authors: Caldwell
authors: Terence K
authors: TK
authors: Trow
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a