Ischemic colitis during pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Abstract

Rare cases of ischemic colitis associated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection and metastatic cancer have been reported. The present study describes the first case of ischemic colitis attributable to pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy in an HCV-infected patient after 34 weeks of treatment. The clinical presentation, endoscopic appearance and histopathology of the colon were consistent with ischemic colitis, and the patient's symptoms rapidly resolved with cessation of therapy. The association between the therapy and the pathogenesis of ischemic colitis is unclear, but immunoregulatory, vasospastic and procoagulant mechanisms have been proposed. Physicians should be aware of this complication, and should consider it in any HCV-infected patient taking pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin who develops abdominal discomfort and gastrointestinal bleeding.

• Authors: Yvette Leung, Stefan J Urbanski, Lynn Schindel, Robert P Myers
• Journal: Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie (Can J Gastroenterol) Vol. 20 Issue 10 Pg. 661-3 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0835-7900 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 17066158 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Ribavirin
• peginterferon alfa-2a

Topics

• Adult
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Colitis, Ischemic (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Polyethylene Glycols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)