title: A case of classic neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome) triggered by pegylated-interferon α.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite recent development of direct acting antivirals for treatment of hepatitis C, the current standard of care may still include pegylated-interferon, which is associated with frequent and, at times, serious adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we report for the first time on a severe case of classic neuromyelitis optica (i.e., optic-spinal form) in a 32 year-old Egyptian man with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated-interferon α2a for 4 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treating physicians must be alerted on rare but important unexpected complications of interferon, in order to consider carefully its use especially when they deal with patients not in dire need of urgent treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy. d.mangioni@campus.unimib.it.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mangioni
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soria
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brighina
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bandera
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrarese
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b