A Bersano1, A Aghemo, M G Rumi, E Ballabio, L Candelise, M Colombo. 1. Department of Neurological Sciences Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, 7 IRCCS, Via F. Sforza 35, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. anna.bersano@unimi.it
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects approximately 2% of the European population. Antiviral therapy with pegInterferon-alpha (PegIFN) and ribavirin (Rbv) is the standard of care, leading to HCV eradication in roughly 50% of patients. IFN-based therapy has been associated with high rates (20%) of central nervous system side effects, but only a few case reports exist on extrapyramidal side effects. RESULTS: We report a 64-year-old man developing parkinsonism during PegIFN alfa-2a and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C. No improvement was observed after treatment discontinuation. Therefore, on the basis of previous clinical and experimental reports, levodopa-benserazide treatment was started. After substantial improvement, symptoms relapsed following drug tapering. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of parkinsonism in a Caucasian patient receiving PegIFN/Rbv therapy. The rapid and significant improvement of symptoms obtained in our patient with levodopa-benserazide, suggests that this therapy could be considered as first line symptomatic treatment.
BACKGROUND:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects approximately 2% of the European population. Antiviral therapy with pegInterferon-alpha (PegIFN) and ribavirin (Rbv) is the standard of care, leading to HCV eradication in roughly 50% of patients. IFN-based therapy has been associated with high rates (20%) of central nervous system side effects, but only a few case reports exist on extrapyramidal side effects. RESULTS: We report a 64-year-old man developing parkinsonism during PegIFN alfa-2a and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C. No improvement was observed after treatment discontinuation. Therefore, on the basis of previous clinical and experimental reports, levodopa-benserazide treatment was started. After substantial improvement, symptoms relapsed following drug tapering. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of parkinsonism in a Caucasian patient receiving PegIFN/Rbv therapy. The rapid and significant improvement of symptoms obtained in our patient with levodopa-benserazide, suggests that this therapy could be considered as first line symptomatic treatment.
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