Severe, generalized nummular eczema secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

[Guest guest]

Arch Dermatol. 2004 Feb;140(2):215-7.

Severe, generalized nummular eczema secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus

infection.

MM, Elpern DJ, DJ.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

BACKGROUND: With increasing rates of hepatitis C virus infection and

diagnosis, more patients are being treated with interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin therapy. Cutaneous side effects to combination therapy are common

and may limit treatment. There are few previous case reports of generalized

eczematous dermatoses occurring after combination therapy for hepatitis C

virus, none in a North American patient, and none of this severity or

recalcitrance. OBSERVATIONS: A man with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

and no history of atopy developed severe, recalcitrant nummular eczema

secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. The

cutaneous side effect was more severe than in previously reported cases and

did not remit on discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness

of the range of dermatologic responses to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin

therapy may lead to improved surveillance for and treatment of these side

effects. Investigating the underlying pathologic mechanisms may ultimately

allow for a greater understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of this

therapy in the setting of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

PMID: 14967798 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

Arch Dermatol. 2004 Feb;140(2):215-7.

Severe, generalized nummular eczema secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus

infection.

MM, Elpern DJ, DJ.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

BACKGROUND: With increasing rates of hepatitis C virus infection and

diagnosis, more patients are being treated with interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin therapy. Cutaneous side effects to combination therapy are common

and may limit treatment. There are few previous case reports of generalized

eczematous dermatoses occurring after combination therapy for hepatitis C

virus, none in a North American patient, and none of this severity or

recalcitrance. OBSERVATIONS: A man with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

and no history of atopy developed severe, recalcitrant nummular eczema

secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. The

cutaneous side effect was more severe than in previously reported cases and

did not remit on discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness

of the range of dermatologic responses to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin

therapy may lead to improved surveillance for and treatment of these side

effects. Investigating the underlying pathologic mechanisms may ultimately

allow for a greater understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of this

therapy in the setting of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

PMID: 14967798 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

Arch Dermatol. 2004 Feb;140(2):215-7.

Severe, generalized nummular eczema secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus

infection.

MM, Elpern DJ, DJ.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

BACKGROUND: With increasing rates of hepatitis C virus infection and

diagnosis, more patients are being treated with interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin therapy. Cutaneous side effects to combination therapy are common

and may limit treatment. There are few previous case reports of generalized

eczematous dermatoses occurring after combination therapy for hepatitis C

virus, none in a North American patient, and none of this severity or

recalcitrance. OBSERVATIONS: A man with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

and no history of atopy developed severe, recalcitrant nummular eczema

secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. The

cutaneous side effect was more severe than in previously reported cases and

did not remit on discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness

of the range of dermatologic responses to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin

therapy may lead to improved surveillance for and treatment of these side

effects. Investigating the underlying pathologic mechanisms may ultimately

allow for a greater understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of this

therapy in the setting of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

PMID: 14967798 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

Arch Dermatol. 2004 Feb;140(2):215-7.

Severe, generalized nummular eczema secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus

infection.

MM, Elpern DJ, DJ.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

BACKGROUND: With increasing rates of hepatitis C virus infection and

diagnosis, more patients are being treated with interferon alfa-2b plus

ribavirin therapy. Cutaneous side effects to combination therapy are common

and may limit treatment. There are few previous case reports of generalized

eczematous dermatoses occurring after combination therapy for hepatitis C

virus, none in a North American patient, and none of this severity or

recalcitrance. OBSERVATIONS: A man with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

and no history of atopy developed severe, recalcitrant nummular eczema

secondary to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. The

cutaneous side effect was more severe than in previously reported cases and

did not remit on discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness

of the range of dermatologic responses to interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin

therapy may lead to improved surveillance for and treatment of these side

effects. Investigating the underlying pathologic mechanisms may ultimately

allow for a greater understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of this

therapy in the setting of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

PMID: 14967798 [PubMed - in process]