Cadoni G, Marinelli L, De Santis A, Romito A, Manna R, Ottaviani F. Sudden hearing loss in a patient hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive on therapy with alpha-interferon: a possible autoimmune-microvascular pathogenesis.
J Laryngol Otol 1998;
112:962-3. [PMID:
10211222 DOI:
10.1017/s0022215100142197]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Alpha interferon (alpha-IFN) is used for the treatment of various systemic disorders. Side-effects of alpha-IFN therapy can involve numerous organ systems, but sudden hearing loss has only once been recorded. We report a case of sudden hearing loss occurring in a patient with chronic hepatitis C treated with alpha-IFN and recovered five days after the discontinuation of this agent. This is the first record of anti-endothelial cell antibodies detection in a patient with sudden hearing loss. The finding of anti-endothelial cell antibodies suggests an association between sudden hearing loss and microvascular damage during interferon therapy.
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