Reactions 1390 - 25 Feb 2012

SPeginterferon-α-2a

Thrombotic microangiopathy in an elderlypatient: case report

A 69-year-old man developed thromboticmicroangiopathy while receiving peginterferon-α-2a. Hesubsequently died.

The man received SC peginterferon-α-2a 180µg,followed by 135µg weekly, for a hepatitis C infection. Twomonths later, he presented with dyspnoea and chest pain.Chest x-ray revealed reticulonodular opacification.Pneumonitis was suspected; however, he subsequentlydeteriorated and developed hypoxia by day 7 afteradmission. He received ventilation andmethylprednisolone. On day 10, his respiratory functionhad improved; however, his haemoglobin level decreasedto 6.6 g/dL. He received a blood transfusion. On day 13,analysis revealed a bilirubin level of 39 µmol/L, an LDHlevel of 2505 IU/L, impaired renal function, blood andprotein in his urine, and red cell fragments in a blood film.He received a plasma exchange; however, he deterioratedfurther, and died on day 14. Subsequently, anADAMTS13 activity assay was found to be normal, and hewas diagnosed with thrombotic microangiopathy.Iskander D, et al. Thrombotic microangiopathy complicating pegylated interferontreatment of hepatitis C infection. American Journal of Hematology 86: 859, No.10, Oct 2011. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajh.22057 - UnitedKingdom 803067331

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Reactions 25 Feb 2012 No. 13900114-9954/10/1390-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved