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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
[Retinopathy during interferon treatment in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C]
Toru Nakamura1, Haruo Takahashi, Noboru Koike
1Department of Ophthalmology, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital. 3 5 1 Chigasakichuo, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama 224 8503, Japan.
Purpose:
To observe the retinopathy of the patients who received interferon/ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Methods:
We observed 6 patients(5 males and 1 female) who received interferon/ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Visual acuity tests and detailed fundus examinations were performed monthly during 6 months of interferon/ribavirin therapy.
Results:
All patients developed soft retinal exudate and 5 developed retinal blot hemorrhage. None of the patients exhibited visual impairment or subjective symptoms during the treatment period, and the retinopathy disappeared or decreased in all patients. All of the patients in this study developed interferon retinopathy while undergoing interferon/ribavirin combination therapy.
Conclusion:
Because the combination of ribavirin with interferon may increase the incidence of interferon retinopathy, and cases of severe retinal complications have also been reported, careful fundus examinations should be performed during combination therapy, just as they are performed during conventional interferon therapy.
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