Neutropenic enterocolitis: An unusual complication of HCV combination therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin.
Drug induced neutropenia as a consequence of intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancies and solid tumors is known to be associated with severe, life-threatening infections such as neutropenic enterocolitis. However, the neutropenia associated with HCV combination therapy with Pegylated Interferon [PEG-IFN] and ribavirin is considered to be well tolerated in patients without other co-morbidities. We present a case of a severe gastrointestinal complication in a patient receiving HCV combination therapy and advocate caution in continuing therapy in patients with neutropenia, especially in the presence of underlying co-morbidities such as cirrhosis.
Kasturi
Krishna S
KS
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. kskastur@utmb.edu
Mummadi
Rajasekhara R
RR
Sood
Gagan K
GK
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D044504:Enterocolitis, Neutropenic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D000069585:Filgrastim; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a