title: Pericarditis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy during therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2a for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: We report a case of pericarditis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with biological signs of a lupus-like syndrome due to pegylated interferon alfa-2a therapy during treatment for chronic hepatitis C. The patient developed moderate weakness in the lower limbs and dyspnea. He was hospitalized for congestive heart failure. An electrocardiogram showed gradual ST-segment elevation in leads V(1) through V(6) without coronary artery disease. A transthoracic cardiac ultrasonographic study revealed moderate pericardial effusion with normal left ventricular function. Anti-DNA antibody and antids DNA IgM were positive. Neurological examination revealed a symmetrical predominantly sensory polyneuropathy with impairment of light touch and pin prick in globe and stoking-like distribution. Treatment with prednisolone improved the pericarditis and motor nerve disturbance and the treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin improved the sensory nerve disturbance.
authors.affiliation: Kazuaki Nishio, Takeshi Konndo, The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Showa University, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishio
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Konndo
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Machiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Enchi