Interferon-alpha-associated monoarthritis

The therapeutic indications for interferons (IFNs) have increased in recent years to include many different diseases of viral and malignant origin. Au toimmune phenomena may occur with IFN therapy, but arthritis is uncommon. I n this case report, we describe a patient who developed monoarthritis in th e knee after IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B infection. A synovia l fluid assay by polymerase chain reaction was negative for hepatitis B vir us DNA and serum transaminase levels were normal as the arthritis developed . The patient was thought to have arthritis due to IFN-alpha treatment. A c onnection between IFN-alpha therapy and an induced autoimmune disorder is d iscussed.