Increased lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)-linked immunoglobulin associated with interferon-alpha therapy in a case of chronic hepatitis C.

A 47-year-old man diagnosed as having chronic hepatitis C was admitted to our hospital where he was treated with interferon (IFN)-alpha. After initiation of this treatment, his serum LDH became elevated, and when the drug was stopped, it decreased gradually to within the normal range. The histopathological findings and the liver function were not aggravated. The administration of IFN-alpha showed a correlation to LDH-linked immunoglobulin, a complex of LDH and immunoglobulin, often causing high levels of LDH. In patients on IFN therapy with elevated LDH, LDH-linked immunoglobulin should be tested.