Sarcoidosis presenting with granulomatous uveitis induced by pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that is triggered by an autoimmune process, and is now a well recognized but uncommon complication of antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, likely related to its immunomodulatory effects. The clinical presentation of HCV related sarc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Internal medicine journal 2008-03, Vol.38 (3), p.207-210
Main Authors: Yan, K. K. L., Dinihan, I., Freiman, J., Zekry, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antiviral Agents - adverse effects
Female
Granuloma - chemically induced
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C - drug therapy
Hepatitis C virus
Humans
interferon
Interferon-alpha - adverse effects
Polyethylene Glycols - adverse effects
Recombinant Proteins
Ribavirin - adverse effects
sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis - chemically induced
side effects
uveitis
Uveitis - chemically induced
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that is triggered by an autoimmune process, and is now a well recognized but uncommon complication of antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, likely related to its immunomodulatory effects. The clinical presentation of HCV related sarcoidosis is as varied as systemic sarcoidosis, but ocular presentation alone has not been reported previously. We present a 23 year‐old female who developed visual disturbances due to ocular sarcoidosis during the course of antiviral therapy for chronic HCV infection. Our case presentation is then followed by a review of the literature on the topic. We aim to stress the importance of screening for eye problems in following HCV patients undergoing antiviral therapy, and raise clinicians’ awareness of sarcoidosis as a possible cause for eye problems even in the absence of respiratory complaints.
ISSN:1444-0903
1445-5994
DOI:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01625.x