[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease associated with interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection]

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.