Interferon-alpha treatment of hepatitis D induces tuberculosis exacerbation in an immigrant

J Infect. 2007 Apr;54(4):e223-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2006.12.009. Epub 2007 Feb 16.

Abstract

This report describes the case of a young Romanian patient who developed a severe exacerbation of pulmonary tuberculosis during interferon-alpha treatment for chronic hepatitis D. While this occurrence underscores that clinical guidelines should be applied with caution in immigrants from underdeveloped countries, due to the possible presence of unrecognized or unreported comorbidity, the mechanisms for an interferon-related exacerbation of pulmonary tuberculosis are also examined. We propose that IFN-induced weight loss and anorexia may have played an important role in promoting clinical manifestations of tuberculosis in our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Hepatitis D, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis D, Chronic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification
  • Radiography
  • Rumänien
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / chemically induced*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha