Fulminant autoimmune hepatitis after successful interferon treatment in an HIV-HCV co-infected patient

Int J STD AIDS. 2008 Mar;19(3):208-10. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2007.007185.

Abstract

Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment using interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin is recommended in HIV/HCV co-infected patients to prevent liver cirrhosis and liver-related death. However, in addition to its antiviral activity, IFN is a pleiotropic cytokine able to synergistically amplify T-cell autoreactivity. Here, we report for the first time the induction of a subfulminant autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after four months of a successful treatment of HCV-1b infection using peg-IFN and ribavirin, in a 48-year-old woman co-infected with HIV. Diagnosis was assessed according to the international AIH scoring system, including liver biopsy and confirmed by positive response to steroid challenge.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / adverse effects*
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b