Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease Occurring During Pegylated Interferon-α2b and Ribavirin Combination Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, a rare multisystem autoimmune syndrome, was reported to occur during pegylated interferon-α2b and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. VKH disease involves ocular, neurological, and integumentary symptoms, and is thought to be triggered by an autoimmune T-cell response to a melanocyte-associated antigen. The immunological response to interferon and ribavirin may exacerbate this condition, although such a complication is very rare. This case highlights the potential for VKH disease to develop during interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.