[Autoimmunization induced by interferon alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C]

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2004 Nov;28(11):1173-6. doi: 10.1016/s0399-8320(04)95201-3.
[Article in French]

Abstract

We report the case of a 56 year-old woman with post-transfusion chronic hepatitis C who presented with a severe ALT flare up associated with a rapid progression of liver fibrosis during interferon alpha 2b therapy. Several hypotheses were considered to explain the etiology of this ALT flare: there was no viral super infection by other hepatotropic viruses, no toxic hepatitis, no metabolic disease, and no other specific liver diseases could be identified. HLA typing showed a specific profile A1 B8 DR3 (risk factor of auto-immunization during interferon alpha therapy) with antinuclear antibodies and anti smooth muscle antibodies. This case suggests that auto-immunization induced by interferon alpha should be investigated in case of ALT flare that is not followed by an HCV breakthrough.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins