Cutaneous Sarcoidosis during Pegylated Interferon alpha and Ribavirin Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C – a Case Report

Overview

Interferon-induced sarcoidosis is well documented. We report a case of sarcoidosis in a patient with hepatitis C virus infection treated with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin. The patient developed cutaneous sarcoidosis about 6 months after beginning of the combination therapy. Spontaneous regression of the lesions was noted after discontinuation of the treatment. Interferon-alpha is known to stimulate T helper cells with a TH-1 profile immune response, which is the key immunologic event of a sarcoid granuloma formation. In addition to its antiviral action, ribavirin also enhanced the TH-1 response. Incidence of drug induced sarcoidosis may be underreported, because many symptoms of sarcoidosis mimic the side-effects of interferon as fever, myalgias, arthralgias, fatigue and symptoms of pulmonary diseases.

Key words:
hepatitis C – interferon-alpha – sarcoidosis