An unusual axonal polyneuropathy induced by low-dose interferon alfa-2a
S. B. Rutkove
Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass, USA.
OBJECTIVES: To describe a patient who developed an unusual polyneuropathy
after treatment with interferon alfa-2a for hepatitis C and to discuss
issues related to diagnosis and pathogenesis. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING:
Tertiary care center. CASE: A 46-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C had
acute onset of an axonal polyneuropathy with prominent small-fiber
involvement shortly after completing a standard 6-month course of therapy
with low-dose interferon alfa-2a. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: Further
interferon treatment for hepatitis C was discontinued. CONCLUSION:
Standard, low-dose interferon alfa-2a treatment can produce a persistent
predominantly small-fiber polyneuropathy.
