Dual benefit from intramuscular interferon-? treatment in a patient with multiple sclerosis and chronic hepatitis-C virus infection
Özet
In patients with hepatitis C virus infection interferon-? therapy is most effective when administered by the intravenous route. However we would like to present a patient with multiple sclerosis and chronic hepatitis C virus infection who obtained dual benefit from intramuscular interferon-? therapy. Intramuscular interferon-?1a (Avonex) 6 million U/week was started for prevention of attacks in a 32-year old woman with multiple sclerosis. She had aquired hepatitis C virus infection from blood transfusion during a Caesarean section. Although serum transaminases were within normal limits anti-hepatitis C virus test by ELISA and hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction were positive. Liver biopsy revealed chronic persistent hepatitis. Considering the use of interferon-?1a for multiple sclerosis prophylaxis and the stage of hepatitis the patient was not offered any additional treatment. Repeat liver biopsy performed after one year showed the absence of previous findings. The patient has also cleared the hepatitis-C virus RNA.