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Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Valérie Touitou1, Bahram Bodaghi, Nathalie Cassoux

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital, Paris, France.

American Journal of Ophthalmology
|November 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin may trigger Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH)-like disease. Intraocular inflammation in these patients responded to corticosteroids and drug discontinuation.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Hepatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a rare multisystem inflammatory disorder.
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
  • The potential link between viral infections and autoimmune phenomena is an area of ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe four cases of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection presenting with clinical manifestations resembling Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease.
  • To investigate a potential association between HCV treatment and the development of VKH-like symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective observational case series design was employed.
  • Medical records of patients diagnosed with VKH and chronic HCV infection between January and December 2003 were reviewed.
  • Patient data regarding diagnosis, management, and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Four patients with chronic HCV infection exhibited clinical features consistent with VKH disease.
  • Three patients developed intraocular inflammation during treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin for HCV.
  • Intraocular inflammation resolved with systemic corticosteroid therapy and cessation of antiviral agents.

Conclusions:

  • A potential association exists between Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and the emergence of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH)-like disease.
  • The findings suggest that HCV treatment may precipitate VKH-like symptoms in susceptible individuals.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and confirm this association.
Abstract

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