Development of sarcoidosis following completion of treatment for hepatitis C with pegylated interferon-{alpha}2a and ribavirin: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory multisystem disease of unknown etiology. We report on a woman, aged 57 years, presenting with typical sarcoidosis occurring two months after completion of a six-month course of interferon-α and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The current observation is interesting with regard to the time elapsed between the occurrence of symptoms and antiviral treatment withdrawal, and spontaneous recovery after ten months of follow-up. Pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of antiviral therapy-induced sarcoidosis are discussed.

Figure 1.

(A) High-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating several enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. (B) High-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating bilateral micronodular infiltrate.

Figure 1.

(A) High-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating several enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. (B) High-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating bilateral micronodular infiltrate.

Figure 2.

(A) After ten months follow-up, high-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating complete normalization of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. (B) After ten months follow-up, high-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating resolution of bilateral micronodular infiltrate.

Figure 2.

(A) After ten months follow-up, high-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating complete normalization of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. (B) After ten months follow-up, high-resolution chest CT with contrast medium demonstrating resolution of bilateral micronodular infiltrate.