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Treatment of immune thrombocytopenia associated with interferon therapy of hepatitis C with the anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab
Author(s) -
Weitz Ilene C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.20270
Subject(s) - rituximab , medicine , pegylated interferon , immunology , monoclonal antibody , ribavirin , antibody , cd20 , gastroenterology , virology , hepatitis c virus , liver function , hepatitis , virus
This case report describes a patient with hepatitis C virus infection responding to pegylated INF/ribaviron therapy, who developed immune thrombocytopenia. The severe thrombocytopenia failed to resolve with cessation of the peg‐IFN/ribaviron. Because of rising hepatitis C virus RNA levels and evidence of rising serum transaminases, the patient was treated with rituximab, anti‐CD20 humanized monoclonal antibody. After treatment with rituximab, the patient's platelet count normalized and the patient was able to resume the pegylated IFN/ribaviron. The patient's hepatitis C virus RNA levels decreased, and the serum transaminases normalized without impairment of hepatic function or recurrence of the thrombocytopenia. Am. J. Hematol. 78:138–141, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.