Premium
Severe exacerbation of hepatitis C–associated vasculitic neuropathy following treatment with interferon alpha: A case report and literature review
Author(s) -
Boonyapisit Kanokwan,
Katirji Bashar
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.10118
Subject(s) - medicine , alpha interferon , mononeuritis multiplex , peripheral neuropathy , exacerbation , mononeuropathy , hepatitis c , interferon alfa , hepatitis , gastroenterology , cryoglobulinemia , immunology , chronic hepatitis , polyneuropathy , dermatology , interferon , vasculitis , disease , diabetes mellitus , hepatitis c virus , virus , endocrinology
Vasculitic neuropathy may occur in association with chronic hepatitis C infection. Interferon alpha (IFNα), an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C, can precipitate or worsen autoimmune diseases. We report a patient with chronic hepatitis C and mild indolent vasculitic sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, who developed severe mononeuropathy multiplex soon after IFNα was initiated, and review the literature on worsening vasculitic neuropathy after IFNα treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Care should be taken after starting patient with chronic hepatitis C–associated vasculitic neuropathy on IFNα, as there is evidence that IFNα may exacerbate the neuropathy. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 000–000, 2002