Rachel J M Dennis¹, Nick Kontorinis², Ram Tampi³

¹Biochemistry Department, Clinipath Pathology, 310 Selby St N, Osborne Park, Western Australia, 6017

²Perth Gastroenterology and Liver Care, 210 Cambridge St, Wembley Western Australia, 6014

³Haematology Department, Clinipath Pathology, 310 Selby St N, Osborne Park, Western Australia, 6017

Interferon therapy is being increasingly use in the treatment for myeloproliferative disorders. We report a case of autoimmune hepatitis in a 71 year female following treatment with interferon alpha-2a for essential thrombocytopenia (ET) which had become refractory to Hydroxycarbamide. To our knowledge there have been no previous case reports of autoimmune hepatitis induced by interferon therapy in treatment of ET.
 
 

The patient received 135mcg subcutaneously weekly for five weeks before presenting with worsening symptoms of nausea and lethargy. Liver function tests showed marked derangement which continued beyond cessation of interferon therapy. Liver biopsy findings were consistent with drug induced autoimmune hepatitis secondary to alpha interferon. 
 
 

The patient was commenced on prednisolone with weekly dose reductions. Liver enzymes returned to normal six months after cessation. This case underscores the importance of clinical review and monitoring of liver enzymes for patients commencing on interferon alpha-2a therapy.
 
 Author contribution statement:
We confirm that this work is original. This work is not under active consideration for publication, has not been accepted for publication, nor has it been published, in full or in part.  
Individual author contributions were as follows: 

-          Dr Dennis: drafting of manuscript  

-          Dr Tampi: revision of manuscript 

-          Dr Kontorinis:  revision of manuscript