A Case of Vitiligo in a Hepatitis C Patient after Pegylated Interferon Treatment

Abstract

The use of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin is considered standard therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C. The treatment has been linked with a number of dermatologic manifestations such as alopecia, skin rash, pruritus, injection site inflammation and occasionally, with vitiligo. We report a case of vitiligo that occurred during treatment with PEG-IFN and ribavirin in a hepatitis C patient. The autoimmune adverse effects of IFN therapy should be considered in the treatment of vitiligo in such patients.