Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and interferon therapy for Hepatitis C: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, can be activated or induced, though rarely, after interferon alpha therapy. We report a patient with hepatitis C and chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura who developed a profound thrombocytopenia of an autoimmune nature shortly after alpha-interferon therapy. We discuss possible mechanisms for this phenomenon and offer a review of the literature