Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and dermatomyositis associated with chronic hepatitis C. A therapeutic dilemma

Abstract

We recently observed a patient with chronic C hepatitis who developed first autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and subsequently dermatomyositis. While the association could be coincidental, it is possible that hepatitis C virus could have induced autoantibodies or circulating immune complexes which contributed to both. Although concerns are sometimes raised about the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy to control symptoms in hepatitis C virus infected patients with rheumatic or autoimmune diseases, corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapies are considered appropriate in cases of chronic C hepatitis with rapidly progressive autoimmune diseases. Our case illustrates the paradox that, despite the continuing presence of a viremic form of chronic C hepatitis, clinical symptoms improved with combined immunosuppressive therapy, without deterioration of the hepatitis. Our results could be the consequence of the association of immunosuppressive therapy intensive enough to control the autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and dermatomyositis with alpha-interferon whose antiviral capacity may have been able to prevent re-exacerbation of the hepatitis.