title: Interferon-induced vitiligo in hepatitis C patients: a case series.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ihamadah@kfshrc.edu.sa
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hamadah
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Binamer
authors.forename: Faisal M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Sanai
authors.forename: Ayman A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Abdo
authors.forename: Abdulmajeed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alajlan
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin