Pegylated interferon de novo-induce autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in chronic hepatitis C patient.
A 55-year-old Egyptian woman with chronic hepatitis C undergoing treatment with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2a plus ribavirin was referred to our hospital on November 2010 with prolonged easy fatigability and an attack of syncope; she had no prior history of autoimmune disorders or allergy. Laboratory investigations documented the presence of Peg-IFN induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and autoimmune thyroiditis. Intravenous γ globulin (IVGG) failed to correct the autoimmune process; on the other hand steroid therapy dramatically corrected both haematological and thyroid values, and step down the immune process. Our report indicated that Peg-IFN de novo-induce autoimmune haemolysis, documenting a previous report. IVGG failed to step down the immune process in our case.
Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
Ashraf
A
Said
Ashraf
A
Elbahrawy
Mohamed
M
Alfiomy
Mohamed
M
Abdellah
Khaled
K
Shahat
Mohamed
M
Salah
Sadek
S
Mostafa
Ahmed
A
Elwassief
Attef
A
Aboelfotoh
Hafez
H
Abdelhafeez
Assem
A
El-Sherif
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a