[Development of sarcoidosis during treatment for chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin: case report and literature review]

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory multisystem disease of unknown aetiology. IFN-alfa is an immunomodulatory cytokine, currently used with ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. Due to its effects on the immune system, IFN-? may lead to the induction or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis. We report on a 37-year-old man, presenting with sarcoidosis during a six-month course of PEG-IFN alfa-2a and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection.