Oropharyngeal pemphigus in a patient with chronic hepatitis C during interferon alpha-2a therapy

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2001 Jul;13(7):869-72. doi: 10.1097/00042737-200107000-00017.

Abstract

There are a few reports in the literature concerning pemphigus induced by interferon given for hepatitis C. We present the case of a 28-year-old woman with post-transfusional chronic hepatitis C who developed ulcers and vesicles on her tongue, cheeks, posterior oropharynx and vocal cords 5 months after beginning treatment with recombinant interferon alpha-2a. The direct and indirect immunofluorescence was diagnostic of pemphigus vulgaris. The drug was promptly withdrawn; the patient was medicated with prednisolone and azathioprine and recovered only 3 months later. Although there are several publications describing the occurrence of other autoimmune diseases in patients receiving interferon alpha therapy, this is the first report of a pemphigus induced by interferon in hepatitis C patients involving oropharyngeal and laryngeal mucosae without cutaneous involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Mouth Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Pemphigus / chemically induced*
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins