Suspected acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis associated with interferon alpha therapy for hepatitis C: case report

Interferon alpha (IFNalpha) has immune stimulatory actions implicated in its pulmonary toxicities. We describe deterioration of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) associated with IFNalpha treatment for chronic hepatitis C in a 58 year old woman culminating in a fatal suspected acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF). Caution should be exercised in the use of IFNalpha in subjects with concomitant IPF given its known immunostimulatory effects and possible role in this suspected AE-IPF.