Sudden hearing loss associated with peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy during hepatitis C treatment

Adverse effects associated with peginterferon and ribavirin during hepatitis C treatment are well known. Sudden hearing loss has rarely been reported. Possible mechanisms involved include direct ototoxicity of interferon, autoimmunity, and hematological changes. Hearing loss is frequently fully reso...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of gastroenterology : WJG 2007-10, Vol.13 (40), p.5411-5412
Main Authors: Elloumi, Hela, Houissa, Fatma, Hadj, Najet-Bel, Gargouri, Dalila, Romani, Malika, Kharrat, Jamel, Ghorbel, Abdeljabbar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antiviral Agents - adverse effects
Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use
Case Report
Drug Therapy, Combination
Hearing Loss, Sudden - chemically induced
Hearing Loss, Sudden - diagnosis
Hepatitis C - drug therapy
Humans
Interferon alpha-2
Interferon-alpha - adverse effects
Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use
Liver - enzymology
Liver - pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Polyethylene Glycols - adverse effects
Polyethylene Glycols - therapeutic use
Recombinant Proteins
Ribavirin - adverse effects
Ribavirin - therapeutic use
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Adverse effects associated with peginterferon and ribavirin during hepatitis C treatment are well known. Sudden hearing loss has rarely been reported. Possible mechanisms involved include direct ototoxicity of interferon, autoimmunity, and hematological changes. Hearing loss is frequently fully resolved after discontinuation of antiviral therapy. We report a 47-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 2 ac who developed sudden hearing loss 22 wk after starting therapy with peginterferon alpha 2a at a dose of 180 microg/wk and ribavirin 800 mg per day. Since symptoms did not worsen, antiviral therapy was continued for 2 wk, according to the patient's wish. Hearing loss resolved within 2 wk after the end of treatment. Serum liver alanine aminotransferase remained normal during and after the end of antiviral therapy. HCV RNA was undetectable at the end of therapy and remained negative 24 wk later. Thus, patients should be aware that hearing loss may occur with peginterferon therapy, but the decision whether to continue or to stop the treatment is based on the clinical judgment of the physician and the wishes of the patient.
ISSN:1007-9327
2219-2840
DOI:10.3748/wjg.v13.i40.5411