Pegylated IFNa-2a and

Two synthetic IFNs, pegylated IFNa-2a and pegylated lFNa-2b, have found application as antiviral agents in the treatment of hepatitis C virus. 

A meta-analysis examining the efficacy and safety of pegylated IFNa-2a- and IFNa-2b-ribavirin in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C revealed incidences of anaemia 11%, neutropenia 32%, leucopenia 52%, thrombocytopenia 5%, alopecia 13%, injection site erythema 27% and pruritus 10%. Discontinuation due to adverse events and viral breakthrough were each 4%. Small inhibitions of growth were seen during treatment [30 ]. 

Ischaemic colitis After 19 weeks of treatment with pegylated IFNa-2a and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C genotype lb, a 48-year-old woman developed severe abdominal pain with haematochezia. CT, colonoscopy and colonic mucosal biopsy led to a diagnosis of ischaemic colitis. After discontinuation of the IFN-ribavirin therapy, the symptoms subsided and mucosal ulceration improved. A munber of cases of ischaemic colihs during IFN therapy have been reported, all of which involve the descending colon [46 ]. 

Gastrointestinal - eosinophilic gastroenteritis A 54-year-old male treated with pegylated IFNa-2a for chronic hepatitis C infection showed abdominal distension and diarrhoea 28 weeks after initiation of therapy. Elevation of the eosinophil count in blood and ascites and eosinophil infiltration observed in gastrointestinal histopathology led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic enteritis but therapy was not initiated due to spontaneous improvement in both the eosinophil count and abdominal symptoms. This appears to be the first case report of eosinophilic enteritis induced by IFN therapy [45 ]. 

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