Acute hepatitis induced by alpha-interferon in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

Can J Gastroenterol. 2001 May;15(5):333-5. doi: 10.1155/2001/510742.

Abstract

Hepatic adverse effects occur very rarely with alpha-interferon therapy. A case of acute hepatitis induced by alpha-interferon in a 33-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C is described. The patient developed acute hepatitis with very high aminotransferase activity and jaundice. After discontinuing alpha-interferon therapy, hepatitis resolved rapidly. The immune-mediated mechanism is the most probable cause of this hepatitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / immunology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Jaundice / chemically induced
  • Jaundice / metabolism
  • Male

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase