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Sarcoidosis occurring after interferon‐α therapy for chronic hepatitis C: Report of two cases
Author(s) -
HIRANO Atsushi,
KATAOKA Mikio,
NAKATA Yasunari,
TAKEDA Katsuyuki,
KAMAO Takayuki,
HIRAMATSU Junichi,
KIMURA Goro,
TANIMOTO Yasushi,
KANEHIRO Arihiko,
TANIMOTO Mitsune
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2005.00745.x
Subject(s) - medicine , sarcoidosis , biopsy , uveitis , lung , surgery , dermatology , radiology , immunology
We report two patients who were diagnosed with sarcoidosis after receiving interferon (IFN)‐α therapy for chronic hepatitis C, and conduct a review the relevant literature. The first patient was a 52‐year‐old female who developed multiple subcutaneous nodules 2 months after finishing IFN‐α therapy. A skin biopsy from subcutaneous nodules on the right elbow joint revealed sarcoid granulomata. These lesions resolved spontaneously 4 months later. The second patient, a 57‐year‐old male, developed bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement 2 years after finishing IFN‐α 2a therapy. A transbronchial lung biopsy demonstrated sarcoid granulomata. In addition, he had uveitis and left ulnar nerve involvement. His eye and nerve involvement gradually improved over 20 months. It is feasible that IFN therapy has been a trigger for sarcoidosis in these patients.