Ischaemic colitis during pegylated interferon-alpha monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B: A case report

Rationale: Pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-alpha) is available for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection, which is better than interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) for the inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication. Ischemic colitis has been described from non-pegylated IFN-alpha, which occurs mainly in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. This is the first case of ischemic colitis during pegylated IFN-alpha monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B. Patient concerns: A 35-year-old Chinese man presented with complaints of acute lower abdominal pain and haematochezia, who was receiving PEG-IFN-alpha-2a monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B. Diagnoses: Colonoscopy revealed scattered ulcers and severe mucosal inflammation with edema in the left hemi colon and necrotizing changes in the descending portion. Biopsies revealed focal mucosal chronic inflammation and mucosal erosion. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with ischemic colitis based on clinical and testing results. nterventions: PEG-IFN-alpha therapy was discontinued and switched to symptomatic management. Outcomes: The patient was discharged from the hospital after recovery. Follow-up colonoscopy revealed normal. The temporal association between the resolution of ischemic colitis and cessation of PEG-IFN-alpha treatment strongly favors the diagnosis of interferon-induced ischemic colitis. Lessons: Ischaemic colitis is a severe emergency complication of interferon therapy. Physicians should consider this complication in any patient taking PEG-IFN-alpha who develops abdominal discomfort and hematochezia.

Automated summary

This is a case of a patient who developed ischemic colitis during pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-alpha) therapy. The patient presented with acute lower abdominal pain and haematochezia while receiving PEG-IFN-alpha monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B. Diagnosis was confirmed through colonoscopy and biopsies, and treatment involved discontinuation of PEG-IFN-alpha and symptomatic management. The patient recovered and subsequent colonoscopy showed normal findings.