Case report: a patient who developed an amoebic liver abscess during treatment with interferon

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1998 Oct;13(10):1068-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1998.tb00572.x.

Abstract

A 65-year-old female received recombinant interferon (IFN) alpha-2b daily for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Fever (39 degrees C or higher) developed 14 days after the start of administration. Abdominal computed tomography suggested multiple liver abscesses, which had not been detected before IFN administration. An autopsy revealed an amoebic liver abscess. A subclinical infection of Entamoeba histolytica in this case developed into amoebic liver abscess during IFN administration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / diagnosis
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / etiology*
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins