Acute polymyositis during treatment of acute hepatitis C with pegylated interferon alpha-2b
- Autori: Venezia, G.; Licata, A.; Di Marco, V.; Craxì, A.; Almasio, P.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2005
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Parole Chiave: Acute hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; IFN; Polymyositis; Acute Disease; Antiviral Agents; Autoimmunity; Creatine Kinase; Drug Carriers; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymyositis; RNA, Viral; Recombinant Proteins; Gastroenterology
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/143271
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus is not cleared after primary infection in 50-85% of subjects exposed to hepatitis C virus. Anti-viral treatment during the early phase of infection significantly enhances the likelihood of a sustained clearance of hepatitis C virus. Although, a variety of autoimmune-related side effects have been observed during interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis, immuno-mediated adverse reactions have not been reported during treatment of acute hepatitis C. We describe the case of a patient who developed acute hepatitis C virus infection and, while receiving pegylated interferon alpha-2b monotherapy, developed a severe polymyositis. This case illustrates the potential risk of autoimmunity by interferon, also for acute hepatitis, and underlines the importance of a prompt diagnosis and a rapid discontinuation of interferon treatment for an improvement of clinical outcomes. © 2005 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l.