Abstract
The complex immunological effects of interferon and ribavirin therapy in hepatitis C virus may also exacerbate or trigger the development of autoimmunity. A rare case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease associated with ribavirin and interferon-alpha treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection is presented. The potential role of interferon and/or ribavirin therapy is discussed. Physicians should be aware of the association between interferon-alpha 2a and ribavirin use for hepatitis C infection and the development of Harada disease. This severe ophthalmological complication requires close follow-up of hepatitis C virus-infected patients on interferon-alpha treatment.
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
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Adult
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Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
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Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
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Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
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Male
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Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
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Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
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Recombinant Proteins
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Ribavirin / administration & dosage
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Ribavirin / adverse effects*
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Tropicamide / administration & dosage
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Tropicamide / therapeutic use
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Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / chemically induced*
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Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / drug therapy
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Antiviral Agents
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha
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Recombinant Proteins
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Ribavirin
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Tropicamide
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Methylprednisolone