%0 Journal Article
%T Digital ischemic necrosis caused by pegylated interferon in a patient with hepatitis C
%A Jana G Hashash
%A Sean A Tackett
%A David J McAdams
%J World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics
%D 2011
%I Baishideng Publishing Group Co. Limited
%X Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin remains the first-line treatment for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Interferon ¦Á has the most extensive clinical application and is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus as well as acute and chronic HCV infections. The attachment of polyethylene glycol to interferon increases its half-life by reducing the rate of absorption after injection, reducing renal and cellular clearance and also decreasing immunogenicity. In this case report, we have described a patient with chronic hepatitis C who developed ischemic necrosis of her fingertips after completing her third course of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The patient underwent a very extensive workup in order to determine the underlying cause of her digital ischemia which was finally determined to be secondary to the use of pegylated interferon.
%K Pegylated interferon
%K Interferon
%K Hepatitis C
%K Necrosis
%K Ischemia
%U http://www.wjgnet.com/2150-5349/full/v2/i1/6.htm