Reports summarize hepatitis C virus study results from M. Taffaro and co-researchers
2008 JAN 14 -- "We describe the case of a 49-year-old man with a history of end-stage liver disease secondary to hepatitis C, who developed vitiligo prior to liver transplantation. The patient was initially diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1993 and is thought to have acquired the disease during his early 20s as a result of intravenous drug use," scientists writing in the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences report. "Approximately 1 year after diagnosis, the patient developed 2-3 small, localized areas of depigmentation on the right maxillofacial area. Six years later, the areas enlarged and extended to include large areas of the face, arms, thorax, abdomen, and legs. Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in May, 2002. Approximately 2 months posttransplant, the patient was found to have elevated aminotransferases (AST, 56; ALT, 84) and a viral load of > 500,000 copies, consistent with recurrent hepatitis C. The option of initiating preemptive antiviral treatment was discussedwith the patient, and he agreed to be started on antiviral therapy with PEG-interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin. Upon initiation of treatment the areas of vitiligo slowly began to improve. The patient experienced side effects from the medication including thrombocytopenia requiring intermittent cessation of therapy; however, he was able to maintain a nondetectable viral load for > 1 year. Two years ( 2004) after starting antiviral treatment, the large area of vitiligo on his face had almost completely resolved. Finally, the patient achieved sustained viral response and significant improvement of the vitiligo areas was noted and maintained. Currently, the hepatitis C viral load remains undetectable and the aminotransferases are normal ( AST, 16; ALT, 16)," wrote M. Taffaro and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "It has been postulated that vitiligo might represent an extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis C; however, this case report demonstrates the near resolution of vitiligo with antiviral therapy." Taffaro and colleagues published their study in Digestive Diseases and Sciences (Vitiligo improvement in a hepatitis C patient after treatment with PEG-interferon alpha-2A and ribavirin: A case report. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2007;52(12):3435-3437). Additional information can be obtained by contacting N. Pyrsopoulos, Highland Prof Bldg, 1801 NW 9th Av, Suite 509, Miami, FL 33136, USA. The publisher of the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences can be contacted at: Springer, Van Godewijckstraat 30, 3311 Gz Dordrecht, Netherlands. Keywords: United States, Miami, Antiviral, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedicine, Dermatology, Digestive Diseases, Drugs, Gastroenterology, HCV, Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatology, Infectious Disease, Interferon, Liver Disease, Liver Transplant, Organ Transplant, Pharmaceuticals, Ribavirin, Transplantation, Treatment, Viral Inhibition, Viral Load, Viral Therapy, Virology, Vitiligo. This article was prepared by Hepatitis Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Hepatitis Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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