Interferon-alpha is used by physicians to treat numerous common medical disorders;however, therapy is often limited by side effects, Pulmonary complications, such as interstitial pneumonitis and bronchiolitis oblitera...
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Interferon-alpha is used by physicians to treat numerous common medical disorders;however, therapy is often limited by side effects, Pulmonary complications, such as interstitial pneumonitis and bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, have been described in patients receiving interferon-alpha therapy. Exacerbation of asthma induced by subcutaneous administration of interferon-alpha has not been previously reported, We describe two patients with mild asthma in whom treatment with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C resulted in exacerbation of the underlying asthma, The severe asthmatic symptoms resolved promptly after use of interferon-alpha was discontinued and corticosteroid therapy was initiated, Repeated treatment with interferon-alpha several months later resulted in a rapid, more severe exacerbation of asthma in both patients. Patients undergoing therapy with interferon-alpha, especially those with chronic asthma, should be monitored closely for pulmonary symptoms, If these symptoms develop, patients should be instructed to discontinue use of interferon-alpha and seek medical attention immediately.
Background: Ribavirin administration for chronic hepatitis C is associated with the development of haemolytic anaemia, which affects treatment efficacy and tolerability. In a pilot study, the exogenous administration ...
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Background: Ribavirin administration for chronic hepatitis C is associated with the development of haemolytic anaemia, which affects treatment efficacy and tolerability. In a pilot study, the exogenous administration of erythropoietin has been shown to be beneficial, reducing the rate of ribavirin dose reduction. How ribavirin administration affects normal erythropoietin production has not been determined. Aim: To investigate the endogenous erythropoietin response in hepatitis C patients with ribavirin-induced anaemia. Methods: Serum erythropoietin was measured before and during interferon-ribavirin treatment in 18 HCV-positive subjects. Mathematical analysis and modelling were applied to compare the degree of erythropoietin increase in HCV-positive and in otherwise healthy anaemic patients, and estimate the endogenous excess erythropoietin production in response to ribavirin-induced anaemia. Results: Erythropoietin concentration increased significantly in response to anaemia caused by ribavirin. The physiological erythropoietin response to the ribavirin-induced anaemia was as adequate in HCV-positive subjects as it is in anaemic subjects without liver disease. The recommended exogenous erythropoietin dose appears three-times greater than the endogenous erythropoietin boost. Conclusion: Chronic liver damage by HCV does not affect the physiological erythropoietin response to ribavirin-induced anaemia. While the rationale for erythropoietin treatment of ribavirin-induced anaemia is not straightforward, the currently recommended dosing regimen should be reassessed.
Background. Interferons are a class of cytokines profoundly affecting immune function. Several interferons are now synthesized and used clinically, notably for viral diseases and cancer. In addition to their desired i...
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Background. Interferons are a class of cytokines profoundly affecting immune function. Several interferons are now synthesized and used clinically, notably for viral diseases and cancer. In addition to their desired immune effects, interferons cause a number of toxicities, including prominent effects on the nervous system. Methods. This literature review focused on the incidence of depression associated with interferon treatment. Possible neurochemical mechanisms and remedial strategies were also considered. Results. Interferon treatment, particularly with the alpha subtype, is unquestionably linked with depression, but the strength of association is uncertain because of erratic ascertainment and pretreatment co-morbidity. A likely pathogenic mechanism has been described, involving interferon suppression of serotonin synthesis. Controlled treatment trials of interferon-induced depression are not yet available. Conclusions. Neurotoxicity substantially limits the use of interferons. At least some of the risk of depression appears to derive from their anti-serotonergic effects, consistent with the large body of evidence pointing to a general link between serotonin and affective illness. Vigilant detection and aggressive treatment of depression is necessary to optimize interferon treatment of many patients.
We report the case of a 36-year-old man who was referred with an asymptomatic eruption that started on both lower legs. This started shortly after being commenced on interferon-alfa for chronic hepatitis secondary to ...
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We report the case of a 36-year-old man who was referred with an asymptomatic eruption that started on both lower legs. This started shortly after being commenced on interferon-alfa for chronic hepatitis secondary to hepatitis C. Clinically, the eruption was consistent with a capillaritis (pigmented purpuric dermatosis). Histology confirmed this to be lymphocytic vasculitis. Lymphocytic vasculitis is frequently identified in the salivary glands of patients who are hepatitis C positive. Although leukocytoclastic vasculitis confined to the skin is frequently reported with hepatitis C, lymphocytic vasculitis is rarely reported. We consider that the lymphocytic vasculitis in our patient occurred as a result of interferon-alfa treatment because of the strong temporal relationship between the onset of the skin eruption and drug therapy.
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