Systemic lupus erythematosus following virological response to peginterferon alfa-2b in a transplanted patient with chronic hepatitis C recurrence

World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul 14;12(26):4253-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i26.4253.

Abstract

Autoimmune manifestations are common both in patients chronically infected by hepatitis C virus, and in patients transplanted for non-autoimmune diseases. A correlation between interferon based treatment and autoimmune diseases or the development of autoantibodies is well established in non-transplanted patients, but few data are available about transplanted patients. It is unclear whether interferon may increase the incidence of acute cellular rejection and there are few reports on the development of atypical autoimmune manifestations during post-liver transplantation interferon or pegylated interferon treatment. We describe a case of systemic lupus erythematosus following treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b in a transplanted patient with recurrence of chronic hepatitis C. Our experience suggest that pegylated interferon may induce autoimmune diseases in the immunosuppressed host, different from acute cellular rejection and call for a great attention to possible autoimmune disorders development during interferon based treatments in liver transplanted patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Liver Cirrhosis / surgery
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / etiology*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Postoperative Complications / immunology
  • Postoperative Complications / virology
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • peginterferon alfa-2b