Interferon-induced vitiligo in hepatitis C patients: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by depigmented patches and macules. It is associated with many autoimmune diseases, the most common of which is thyroid disease. The association between Interferon (IFN) therapy and vitiligo is rarely reported in the literature, despite its common usage in hepatitis B viral infection, hepatitis C viral infection (HCV), hematological malignancies and melanoma.


METHODS
We are reporting eight cases of vitiligo that appeared after treating HCV with IFN.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon unmasks vitiligo in susceptible individuals.
Hamadah
Issam
I
Dermatology Unit, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ihamadah@kfshrc.edu.sa
Binamer
Yousef
Y
Sanai
Faisal M
FM
Abdo
Ayman A
AA
Alajlan
Abdulmajeed
A
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin