Polyethylene Glycol Interferon α-2b-induced Immune-mediated Polyradiculoneuropathy

Yuko Kato-Motozaki; Kiyonobu Komai; Kazuya Takahashi; Chiho Ishida; Masami Ueda; Susumu Kusunoki; Masahito Yamada

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.48.1794

CASE REPORTS

Polyethylene Glycol Interferon α-2b-induced Immune-mediated Polyradiculoneuropathy

Yuko Kato-Motozaki, Kiyonobu Komai, Kazuya Takahashi, Chiho Ishida, Masami Ueda, Susumu Kusunoki, Masahito Yamada

Author information

Yuko Kato-Motozaki
Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science
Kiyonobu Komai
Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science
Department Neurology, Iou Hospital, National Organization
Kazuya Takahashi
Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science
Chiho Ishida
Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science
Department Neurology, Iou Hospital, National Organization
Masami Ueda
Department of Neurology, Kinki University School of Medicine
Susumu Kusunoki
Department of Neurology, Kinki University School of Medicine
Masahito Yamada
Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science

Keywords: pegylated interferon alpha, hepatitis C infection, polyradiculoneuropathy, anti-ganglioside antibody

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2009 Volume 48 Issue 7 Pages 569-572

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.48.1794

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Abstract

Polyethylene glycol-interferon α (PEG-IFNα) has been used as the standard treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There have been no previous reports of polyradiculoneuropathy with anti-ganglioside antibodies induced by PEG-IFNα-2b. We report a 59-year-old man who developed polyradiculoneuropathy during treatment with PEG-IFN α-2b for chronic HCV infection. Serum levels of anti-asialo-GM1 (GA1) and anti-GM1 antibodies were elevated. Cessation of therapy with double filtration plasmapheresis resulted in marked improvement in his symptoms accompanied by a reduction in the antibody level. PEG-IFN α-2b may induce peripheral neuropathy mediated by anti-GA1 and anti-GM1 antibodies.

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