CHRONIC HEPATITIS EXACERBATED DURING INTE RFERON THERAPY

A 27 year old male patient was referred to our clinical unit because o f marked elevation of serum bilirubin (up to 15.3 mg/dl), ASAT (563 U/ l) and ALAT (845 U/l) were detected after institution of therapy with alpha interferon. The patient had been previously treated because of p ersistent slight elevation of serum transaminases, serological markers of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus being both negative. Liver histology was consistent with chronic active hepatitis. Antinuclear, anti smooth muscle and antimitochondrial autoantibodies were all negat ive, although anti smooth muscle antibodies became positive (1/40) aft er interferon therapy. The drug was withdrawn, prednisone was institut ed, and transaminases and bilirubin values returned to normality.