Acute Hearing Loss Is Associated with Peginterferon and Ribavirin Combination Therapy: A Case Report

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Acute Hearing Loss Is Associated with Peginterferon and Ribavirin Combination

Therapy: A Case Report

Peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy for the treatment of chronic

hepatitis C virus (HCV) is well known to be associated with significant adverse

effects. Sensorineural hearing loss, that in most cases is unilateral, has been

reported as a consequence of therapy with both non-pegylated and pegylated

interferon (pegIFN) but is not a well-known adverse effect.

In this case report, clinicians in Vancouver, Canada describe a 45-year-old

Caucasian woman who developed acute sensorineural hearing loss two months after

starting therapy with peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIntron) and ribavirin for the

treatment of chronic HCV, genotype 1a.

She did not report the hearing loss to the hepatitis clinic until one month

later, at which time therapy was promptly discontinued.

Although her serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalized and her HCV-RNA

became undetectable after 12 wk of pegIFN and ribavirin therapy, after

discontinuation, her HCV-RNA became detectable with significant elevations of

serum ALT.

Four months after initial discontinuation, the patient re-commenced pegIFN and

ribavirin combination therapy.

After 44 of 48 wk of therapy, the patient's liver biochemistry has normalized

and the HCV-RNA is undetectable. She has not developed worsening of her hearing

loss and hearing on the left-side is unaffected.

The authors conclude, " Both patients and physicians should be aware that

sensorineural hearing loss may occur with pegIFN therapy. Our experience

suggests that re-treatment is not always associated with further hearing

impairment. "

Division of Gastroenterology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.

09/14//05

Reference

V K Wong and others. Acute sensorineural hearing loss associated with

peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy during hepatitis C treatment:

Outcome after resumption of therapy. World Journal of Gastroenterology 11(34):

5392-5393. September 14, 2004.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2005/ad/091905_b.html