Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with pegylated interferon α 2a therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection
January 2008
in “
World Journal of Gastroenterology
”
TLDR Pegylated interferon-alpha 2a can cause a rare nerve disorder, but early treatment can lead to full recovery.
The document reported the first case of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) associated with pegylated interferon-alpha 2a (Pegasys) in a 65-year-old woman undergoing treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. After 16 weeks of combination therapy with Pegasys and ribavirin, the patient developed neurological symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness in her extremities. Diagnostic tests confirmed AIDP, likely linked to Pegasys use. The patient fully recovered with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, physical therapy, and neurological rehabilitation. The study emphasized the importance of early recognition and management of this rare side effect by healthcare professionals to prevent long-term neurological damage.
