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Lichen planus induced by interferon-alpha-2a therapy for chronic active hepatitis C
T Barreca1, G Corsini, R Franceschini
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Italy.
Objective:
To report the development of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive chronic active hepatitis with lichen planus in a patient during interferon treatment.
Design:
Case report and literature review.
Patient:
A 64-year-old anti-HCV and HCV-RNA-positive woman.
Interventions:
The patient received interferon-alpha-2a treatment for histologically proven chronic active hepatitis.
Results:
Four months after the start of treatment the patient developed multiple cutaneous lesions on her hands, feet and back. A skin biopsy led to the diagnosis of lichen planus. The withdrawal of interferon was followed by a marked improvement in the cutaneous lesions, but not complete regression.
Conclusion:
This case shows that HCV-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis may develop lichen planus during interferon therapy.