Onset of Tuberculosis from a Pulmonary Latent Tuberculosis Infection during Antiviral Triple Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

Intern Med. 2016;55(15):2011-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.6448. Epub 2016 Aug 1.

Abstract

A 62-year-old man was diagnosed with the onset of tuberculosis (Tb) from a pulmonary latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) during triple therapy with pegylated interferon α2a, ribavirin, and telaprevir for a chronic hepatitis C infection in 2013 before interferon (IFN)-free anti-viral therapy was introduced in Japan. A liver biopsy before IFN treatment revealed the presence of epithelioid cell granulomas (ECGs). IFN may also be employed for chronic hepatitis B infection and malignant tumors, thus, special attention must be paid to the development of Tb from a LTBI when ECGs are observed before treatment. It is also necessary to review the significance of the liver biopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Latent Tuberculosis / drug therapy*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / pathology*
  • Male
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Oligopeptides
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin