Life-threatening severe immune thrombocytopenia during alpha-interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Hepatogastroenterology. 2003 May-Jun;50(51):841-2.

Abstract

Although mild thrombocytopenia is a common adverse effect of interferon therapy, severe life-threatening thrombocytopenia is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of chronic hepatitis C patient that developed severe thrombocytopenia during alpha-interferon therapy, possibly due to an autoimmune mechanism. A 24-year-old female presented chronic hepatitis C in May, 1998. Based on the clinicopathological findings including a liver biopsy, administration of alpha-interferon was begun. In the fourth week of therapy, she experienced mild dyspnea and general fatigue. Complete blood count demonstrated thrombocytopenia (48,000/microL). Despite the immediate withdrawal of interferon, her platelet count further decreased to 1,100/microL. Bone marrow aspirate and elevated platelet-associated IgG antibodies were suggestive of immune thrombocytopenia. She was treated with intravenous and oral administration of steroids. Her platelet count returned to normal level 5 days later. Response to steroid treatment was consistent with the diagnosis of alpha-interferon-induced immune thrombocytopenia in this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Liver / pathology
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / chemically induced*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / pathology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interferon-alpha