[Autoimmunization induced by interferon alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C].

We report the case of a 56 year-old woman with post-transfusion chronic hepatitis C who presented with a severe ALT flare up associated with a rapid progression of liver fibrosis during interferon alpha 2b therapy. Several hypotheses were considered to explain the etiology of this ALT flare: there was no viral super infection by other hepatotropic viruses, no toxic hepatitis, no metabolic disease, and no other specific liver diseases could be identified. HLA typing showed a specific profile A1 B8 DR3 (risk factor of auto-immunization during interferon alpha therapy) with antinuclear antibodies and anti smooth muscle antibodies.

Is scintigraphic double-track appearance a sign of severe acute episodes of ulcerative colitis?

Aim: In comparison to endoscopy, clinical and biological criteria are less predictive of severity in attacks of ulcerative colitis (UC). Our aim was to assess the value of the double-track scintigraphic appearance in the assessment of the severity of acute UC by comparing it to endoscopic criteria.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed medical records of 52 patients hospitalized for an acute attack of UC, who had undergone within 48 hours of presentation both a technetium 99m hexamethyl propylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) granulocyte scintigraphy and endoscopic examination (colonoscopy: n=20; rectosigmoidoscopy: n=32).

[Early treatment of acute hepatitis C with interferon alpha-2b or interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin: study of sixteen patients].

Aim Of The Study: To assess the mode of transmission and the efficacy of antiviral therapy in the outcome of treated and untreated patients with acute hepatitis C.

Patients And Methods: From December 1995 to January 2001, 16 consecutive patients and their response to therapy were studied, including clinical, biochemical, virological and histological data.

Results: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure was IVDU (38%), needle-stick injury (19%), medical procedure (6%), piercing (6%), suspected sexual contact (19%), and unknown in 2.

[Induced interstitial pneumonitis: role of pegylated interferon alpha 2b].

Pulmonary complications of alpha interferon are rare. We report two cases of lung complications in liver transplantation patients for HCV related cirrhosis. After switching from interferon alpha to pegylated interferon alpha 2b, one patient developed a BOOP (Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia) and the other severe interstitial pneumonitis.