Primary biliary cirrhosis induced by interferon-alpha therapy for hepatitis C virus infection

Dig Dis Sci. 1995 Oct;40(10):2113-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02208992.

Abstract

Interferon-alpha is known to exacerbate and in some cases induce a variety of autoimmune disorders. In this report we describe the onset of primary biliary cirrhosis in a 55-year-old woman without evidence of preexisting autoimmune diseases receiving recombinant interferon-alpha 2a for chronic active hepatitis C. Shortly after discontinuing interferon therapy, alkaline phosphatase levels started to rise up to three times the normal range. Anti-mitochondrial antibodies were found to be positive at a high titer, and liver biopsy showed a picture of chronic active hepatitis along with primary biliary cirrhosis features (overlap syndrome). Primary biliary cirrhosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any patient treated with interferon-alpha with unexplained elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / adverse effects*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / chemically induced*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon Type I
  • Recombinant Proteins