Bronchial casts attributed to the use of pegylated interferon and ribavirin

We report the case of a 50-year-old male patient with a rare profile: bronchial casts associated with the use of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The patient sought treatment in a pulmonology clinic with a history of progressive dyspnea for four months that had evolved to progressive cough followed by frequent and abundant elimination of bronchial casts. The patient was initially treated with bronchodilators, as well as with oral and inhaled corticosteroids. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage and sputum analysis were carried out but did not contribute to the elucidation of the diagnosis. The symptoms developed while the patient was receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C. The symptoms resolved 30 days after the discontinuation of the treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of bronchial casts caused by the use of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.