title: Suspected acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis associated with interferon alpha therapy for hepatitis C: case report.
abstract: Interferon alpha (IFNα) has immune stimulatory actions implicated in its pulmonary toxicities. We describe deterioration of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) associated with IFNα treatment for chronic hepatitis C in a 58 year old woman culminating in a fatal suspected acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF). Caution should be exercised in the use of IFNα in subjects with concomitant IPF given its known immunostimulatory effects and possible role in this suspected AE-IPF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Adult Hospital, South Brisbane, Qld 4101 Australia.
authors.forename: Victoria Yee-May
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortimore
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Serisier
keywords: Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Hepatitis C; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis / usual interstitial pneumonia; Interferon alpha
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