Thrombotic microangiopathy induced by long-term interferon-β therapy for multiple sclerosis: a case report

Clin Nephrol. 2011 Nov;76(5):396-400. doi: 10.5414/cn106523.

Abstract

We report the case of a 53-year-old woman treated for 8 years with Betaferon® (interferon-β-1b), who developed mild renal failure with hypertension, proteinuria and glomerular hematuria. Kidney biopsy was consistent with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Considering the strong evidence of interferon-α causing TMA and the numerous immunomodulatory activities shared by INF-α and -β, we incriminated Betaferon as the etiological agent of TMA in our patient. To our knowledge, it is the first time such an association has been published.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta