Induction of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease by Interferon-Alpha and Ribavirin Treatment in Patients with Hepatitis C: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To describe a case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) presenting in a hepatitis C patient after interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin treatment.

Methods: A retrospective review of our patient and a review of the published literature.

Results: A 59 year-old man developed VKH after the four months of IFN-α and ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C. The patient’s VKH was controlled by systemic corticosteroids. The relationship between VKH and IFN-α is discussed based on the published literature.

Conclusions: VKH is a rare autoimmune complication triggered by interferon-alpha therapy; the T-cell modulatory properties of IFN-α possibly contribute to this association. Early diagnosis of VKH and aggressive systemic corticosteroid intervention are essential for this type of IFN-α -related autoimmune complication.

Keywords:

• Autoimmune disease
• hepatitis C
• Interferon-alpha (IFN-α)
• uveitis
• Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH)

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.