Abstract
Interferon-α is known to exacerbate and in some cases induce a variety of autoimmune disorders. In this report we describe the onset of primary biliary cirrhosis in a 55-year-old woman without evidence of preexisting autoimmune diseases receiving recombinant interferon-α2a for chronic active hepatitis C. Shortly after discontinuating interferon therapy, alkaline phosphatase levels started to rise up to three times the normal range. Anti-mithocondrial antibodies were found to be positive at a high titer, and liver biopsy showed a picture of chronic active hepatitis along with primary biliary cirrhosis features (overlap syndrome). Primary biliary cirrhosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any patient treated with interferon-α with unexplained elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2113-2116 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Digestive Diseases and Sciences |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 1995 |
Keywords
- chronic active hepatitis
- hepatitis C virus
- interferon-α
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology