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Published on: February 3, 2012
[Severe thrombocytopenia with probable autoimmune mechanism associated with interferon therapy in a patient with
M Carnero-Fernández1, J R Pineda, J M Lite-Alvarez
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Meixoeiro, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, España. tumismo@edu.xunta.es
Abstract:
We describe the case of a 20-year-old man who developed severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic complications 5 months after beginning pegylated interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Interferon therapy was stopped and platelets were transfused, but the platelet count did not increase until treatment with immunoglobulins and intravenous corticosteroids was started. Therefore, we believe this would suggest a possible autoimmune mechanism for the development of thrombocytopenia with interferon therapy. Mild reduction in platelets count is a common adverse effect of this drug. Nevertheless, severe decreases and secondary serious hemorrhagic complications have been infrequently described in the literature.
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