title: Pegylated interferon/ribavirin-associated sudden hearing loss in a patient with chronic hepatitis C in Brazil.
abstract: Sudden hearing loss is defined as a sensorineural hearing loss, equal to or greater than 30 dB, at three or more consecutive frequencies, which takes place within 72 hours. Both peginterferon and ribavirin are well-known to be associated with significant adverse effects, but sudden hearing loss is uncommon. We report a 65-year-old male patient who developed sudden-onset hearing loss during combination therapy with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. Peginterferon and ribavirin may cause sudden hearing loss that may not recover after discontinuation of therapy. Immediate treatment for all possible etiologies is essential, along with targeted investigations and early referral for an ear, nose and throat specialist. Physicians should be aware of the possible ototoxic effects of peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy requiring appropriate surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cassia Jacintho
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mendes-Corrêa
authors.forename: Roseli Saraiva Moreira
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bittar
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salmito
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oiticica
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b