[Cutaneous vasculitis with renal impairment complicating interferon-beta 1a therapy for multiple sclerosis]. / Vascularite cutanée avec atteinte rénale compliquant un traitement par interféron bêta-1a pour une sclérose en plaques.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous tolerance of the interferon beta used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is good. However, among the rare adverse effects, vasculitis and glomerular impairment have been described for interferon beta-1b. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman had been given subcutaneous injections of interferon beta 1-1a (Rebif, Serono) three times a week for ten weeks. A local transient cutaneous erythema was observed at the injection's sites. A few days after a new injection a erythematous plaques developed at the injection sites followed by pruritus, then purpura with edema on the leg in addition to an increase in body weight of 3 kg. Biological data showed proteinuria and hematuria. The histology study of skin specimens suggested non-specific lymphocytic vasculitis. Outcome was favorable after discontinuing interferon beta-1a. CONCLUSION: The etiology of the cutaneous and renal impairment is not formally established but the drug-induced hypothesis is proposed for interferon beta-1a.