Induction of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease by Interferon-Alpha and Ribavirin Treatment in Patients with Hepatitis C: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Purpose: To describe a case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) presenting in a hepatitis C patient after interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin treatment. Methods: A retrospective review of our patient and a review of the published literature. Results: A 59 year-old man developed VKH after the four months of IFN-alpha and ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C. The patient's VKH was controlled by systemic corticosteroids. The relationship between VKH and IFN-alpha is discussed based on the published literature. Conclusions: VKH is a rare autoimmune complication triggered by interferon-alpha therapy; the T-cell modulatory properties of IFN-alpha possibly contribute to this association. Early diagnosis of VKH and aggressive systemic corticosteroid intervention are essential for this type of IFN-alpha -related autoimmune complication.