Manifestation of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa during interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C associated with primary biliary cirrhosis

Interferon alpha-2b was administered to a 50-year-old Japanese woman with c hronic hepatitis C associated with primary biliary cirrhosis. Two months af ter the beginning of the interferon alpha-2b therapy a systemic nodular, er ythematous rash developed. Histological analysis of the skin revealed typic al features of necrotizing arteritis. Because there was no microhematuria, and no microaneurysms were detected on abdominal angiography, a diagnosis o f cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa was made. A good outcome was achieved afte r interferon alpha-2b was discontinued and prednisolone was administered in stead. The cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in this patient is thus considere d to have occurred as an adverse effect of interferon administration. To ou r knowledge, this is the first reported case of cutaneous polyarteritis nod osa which developed because of interferton therapy for chronic hepatitis C associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.