New onset or exacerbation of psoriasis vulgaris has been reported in a small number of patients after interferon (IFN)-α therapy. Herein, we report a case of generalized flare of pustular psoriasis induced by PEGylated IFN-α2b (PEG-IFN-α2b) in a 59-year-old woman with a 15-year history of pustular psoriasis and chronic hepatitis C. Interferon-α therapy was discontinued and the rash resolved after treatment with cyclosporin and systemic methylprednisolone. The potential side effect of PEG-IFN-α2b in inducing or exacerbating psoriasis should be kept in mind when treating patients with a history of psoriasis or pustular psoriasis.
© 2011 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology © 2011 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.