Tuberc Respir Dis.  2006 Sep;61(3):285-288. 10.4046/trd.2006.61.3.285.

Exacerbation of Sarcoidosis Following Interferon-alpha Therapy for Chronic Active Hepatitis C

• Chang HJ
• Choi EH
• Kim IJ
• Sim YS
• Lee JH
• Kim TH
• Moon JW
• Chun EM
• Kim YK
• Sung SH
• Chang JH

• KMID: 1970269
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.61.3.285

Abstract

Interferon alpha is an immunomodulator that is used as an antiviral agent to treat chronic active viral hepatitis C. However, interferon can induce or exacerbate sarcoidosis. We report a case of 42-year-old man with an exacerbation of pulmonary sarcoidosis after the cessation of interferon and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C. The patient's sarcoidosis improved spontaneously and he continues to be monitored regularly without steroid therapy.

Keyword

Hepatitis C; Interferon; Sarcoidosis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Hepatitis, Chronic*
Humans
Interferon-alpha*
Interferons
Ribavirin
Sarcoidosis*
Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary
Interferon-alpha
Interferons
Ribavirin

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Chest radiograph shows diffuse miliary nodules in both lungs.

• 

  Figure 2 High-resolution computed tomogram of the lungs demonstrates diffuse well-defined miliary nodules with some poorly-defined nodules and branching linear structure. There was interlobular septal thickening and peribronchial interstitial thickening.

• 

  Figure 3 Bronchoscopy shows diffuse engorgement of the mucosal vessels and slight edema.

• 

  Figure 4 Transbronchial lung biopsy specimen shows noncaseating granulomas (HE stain, ×400).

• 

  Figure 5 Chest radiograph taken on 5 months after cessation of interferon-alpha and ribavirin shows marked improvement of miliary nodules.

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