[A case of sarcoidosis exacerbated after acute hepatitis C]

We describe a case of sarcoidosis exacerbated after acute hepatitis C, with particular reference to past case reports. A 30-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in June 1997 because of cough and chest discomfort. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed as a result of chest radiography findings, transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage. A month later she was re-admitted because of fatigue. Acute hepatitis C was diagnosed from the findings of liver histology and HCV RNA. On the 42 nd day of hospitalization she complained of a severe cough, and a chest radiograph showed aggravation of bilateral reticulonodular shadows. This case suggested that acute hepatitis C may lead to an exacerbation of sarcoidosis. On August 4, 1999, the bilateral reticulonodular shadows had disappeared from the chest radiographs. Acute hepatitis C became chronic, but subsequently resolved spontaneously.