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Chang, Choi, Kim, Sim, Lee, Kim, Moon, Chun, Kim, Sung, and Chang: Exacerbation of Sarcoidosis Following Interferon-alpha Therapy for Chronic Active Hepatitis C
Case Report
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2006; 61(3): 285-288.

Published online: 30 September 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.61.3.285

Exacerbation of Sarcoidosis Following Interferon-alpha Therapy for Chronic Active Hepatitis C

Hye Jung Chang, M.D., Eun Hwa Choi, M.D., In Je Kim, M.D., Yun Su Sim, M.D., Jin Hwa Lee, M.D., Tae Hun Kim, M.D., Jin Wook Moon, M.D., Eun Mi Chun, M.D., Yoo Kyung Kim, M.D.2, Sun Hee Sung, M.D.3, Jung Hyun Chang, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Women University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Radiology, Ewha Women University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

3Department of Pathology, Ewha Women University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Jin Hwa Lee, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, 911-1 Mokdong Yancheon-gu, Seoul 158-710 Korea. Phone: 02-2650-6007, Fax: 02-2655-2076, jinhwalee@ewha.ac.kr

Received 25 May 2006       Accepted 12 July 2006

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Interferon alpha is an immunomodulator that is used as an antiviral agent to treat chronic active viral hepatitis C. However, interferon can induce or exacerbate sarcoidosis. We report a case of 42-year-old man with an exacerbation of pulmonary sarcoidosis after the cessation of interferon and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C. The patient's sarcoidosis improved spontaneously and he continues to be monitored regularly without steroid therapy.

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Interferon, Sarcoidosis

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Chest radiograph shows diffuse miliary nodules in both lungs.
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Figure 2
High-resolution computed tomogram of the lungs demonstrates diffuse well-defined miliary nodules with some poorly-defined nodules and branching linear structure. There was interlobular septal thickening and peribronchial interstitial thickening.
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Figure 3
Bronchoscopy shows diffuse engorgement of the mucosal vessels and slight edema.
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Figure 4
Transbronchial lung biopsy specimen shows noncaseating granulomas (HE stain, ×400).
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Figure 5
Chest radiograph taken on 5 months after cessation of interferon-alpha and ribavirin shows marked improvement of miliary nodules.
trd-61-285-g005

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