Cutaneous mucinosis and skin necrosis complicates interferon alfacon-1 (consensus interferon) treatment of chronic hepatitis C

A 59-year-old Caucasian suffering from chronic hepatitis C started daily subcutaneous self-infections of interferon alfacon-1 (consensus interferon) according to the protocol of a randomised multicentre study.. At week 10, he developed painful erythematous lesions at two injection sites. Consensus interferon dosage was reduced, and eventually, the lesions healed with small areas of scarring due to central necrosis. At week 51, again large areas of erythematous thickened skin arose at two other injection sites followed by substantial ulceration and central necrosis. Skin biopsy revealed excessive dermal mucin deposition so that cutaneous mucinosis was diagnosed. After 3-6 months, the lesions heated with central scarring. Due to a persistently negative HCV-PCR from serum (from week 12 onwards), consensus interferon treatment was not stopped but continued until week 60 according to the study protocol. Cutaneous mucinosis has not been previously reported to complicate treatment with consensus interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C and should therefore be added to the list of dermatological side-effects associated with interferon alfacon-1 therapy.