Late-Onset Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Withdrawal of Interferon Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: A Case Report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 Aug;94(34):e1296. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001296.

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a life-threatening complication following pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin treatment, the standard treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We reported a rare case with late-onset ITP after withdrawal of PEG-IFN treatment.A 53-year-old male with hepatitis C developed massive gum bleeding and a severe, reversible, immune thrombocytopenia 2 weeks after cessation of PEG-IFN treatment for HCV due to anemia and depression. The platelet count decreased to 4000 cells/μL. The HCV viral load was undetectable at the end of PEG-IFN treatment and during follow-up for 5 months. Other potential autoimmune disorders were ruled out. Late-onset ITP associated with PEG-IFN treatment was diagnosed.The patient was treated successfully with steroid and azathioprine. Platelet count gradually increased to 117 × 10 cells/μL on the 18th day after admission.ITP is a rare complication in patients with hepatitis C or in patients who received PEG-IFN treatment. The particular case supported that it may occur even after withdrawal of PEG-IFN treatment. Physicians should be aware of this late-onset complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Azathioprine / administration & dosage*
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha* / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count / methods
  • Polyethylene Glycols* / administration & dosage
  • Polyethylene Glycols* / adverse effects
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / blood
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / drug therapy
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / etiology
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Azathioprine
  • peginterferon alfa-2a