Fulminant central nervous system demyelination associated with interferon- therapy and hepatitis C virus infection

[Myown]

I remember making a comment to someone on forum saying "isn't it odd that we seem to see so many people being dx with MS. I personally know several people. At that time, I said I wonder if this could somehow be related to HCV, since hardly any doctor checks people for HCV unless the patient themselves asks. Now here in this study it says that the person developed MS AFTER the interferon theraphy,,,but what IF the HCV did in fact cause the MS and the interferon only brought it out - as it seems to do with other diseases/autoimmune after tx. Notice it says "neuropathological confirmation of MS associated with IFN- therapy and HCV infection is lacking." I hope they start to research in this area soon. My brain scan did show change in white matter - now whether I had it before tx or after - I'll never know...BUT the only way doctors will know if the interferon is causing brain abnormalities (or if the abnormalities are there already from the HCV) is to INCLUDE a brain MRI as part of the HCV exam. Because really, we have a deadly disease that affects all of our organs and all we get for an exam prior to tx is a few pushes on our stomach and some blood tests - maybe an eye exam. Since we DO KNOW this disease affects our entire body/brain, there needs to be more tests prior and post tx - IMO.

I found this interesting and wanted to pass it on to those who may also find it interesting.


http://intl-msj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/9/1100

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in the general population and may coincide with disease in the central and peripheral nervous system. Interferon- (IFN-) is used as treatment for HCV infection. The therapeutic benefit is assumed to result from activation of natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells. Despite its beneficial effects, it has been associated with a number of autoimmune disorders, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and multiple sclerosis. Several clinical reports including magnetic resonance imaging exist, but neuropathological confirmation of MS associated with IFN- therapy and HCV infection is lacking. We report a case of a female patient with chronic HCV infection who developed `acute MS'-like demyelinating disease after IFN- administration, with extensive lesions throughout brain and thoracic spinal cord. The patient died after a disease duration of 6 months. Brain autopsy revealed Baló-like demyelinating plaques with positive HCV sequences within florid lesions. The development of fulminant demyelinating disease after administration of IFN- suggests that autoimmune mechanisms such as T cell mediated tissue damage might be initiated or aggravated by IFN- therapy. Additionally, the presence of HCV RNA within the demyelinated lesion indicates a possible role in triggering or propagating disease. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1100—1106. http://msj.sagepub.com


Key Words: CD8+ T cells • concentric sclerosis (Baló) • hepatitis C virus • interferon- • multiple sclerosis (MS)

[drew1985]

Wow, this is very weird.

I just found out that I had HCV. Back in 2004 I was hospitalized for a few weeks (collapsed after having flu like symptoms for 3-4 days). When I woke up in the hospital I was seeing double vision and I couldn't walk for about 3 weeks (without help).

The doctor was unsure of exactly what I had. I DID have lesions of my brain, so the doctor concluded that this was either my first outbreak of MS, or it was either ADEM (Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis). He said if I had ADEM it was caused by an unknown virus (they checked me for multiple viruses and came up empty handed).

Basically, they just told me to follow up with a neurologist. I followed up with one for about a year and he said that it was probably ADEM and just to contact him back if I ever had any numbness, tingling, etc. - which I haven't had.

Now that I know I have HCV - I wonder if the HCV was related to this incident that I had in 04'.

To this day I am still unsure if I have MS. I've never had any symptoms aside from the acute symptoms I had in 2004. I haven't tx'ed yet - im wondering if I should follow up with my neurologist before I decide to.

[cjacks]

MO,

I posted Harry on the other side and sent you a PM .   Thanks for the referral  :)  .  

Jo

[Myown]

MO    Thank you so much for making me feel comfortable here ..  I would absoluely love to be in touch while you do your tx  .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're welcome, I'm glad you feel comfortable. And yes, do keep in touch.
Gotta run, see ya later!
MO

[Myown]

I don't know if Harry stepped away from his computer, but this is his post from the otherside.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/437322


Another bomb dropped
by HARRYBEADS


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HARRYBEADS
Madoc - ON
Mood: HARRYBEADS is finished treatment
  



, 45 minutes ago
   Thought I was doing great after finishing the 48 weeks for 1a with an undetectable.

   Yesterday I went to the pain clinic to deal with the RSD or neuropathy I had for years prior to treatmemnt and they dropped the big bomb on me MS, the right side of the body is hyper while the left  is nonresponsive. They advised me to quit treatment ASAP, told them i'm done.
So... it's real bad according to these guys to treat hep c if'n ya gots da MS cuze it's an autoimmune disease.

   Miles and miles of tests lined up now the best is the spinal tap, can't wait.

   Don't think this dragon has a death mode, like Hep c does.

Whish me luck and prayers all around will help.


Harry

[Myown]

Check your "Inbox."

[DoubleDose]

Thanks to Myown, for keeping this thread active!  I wanted to highlight some of the references to interferon in the medical studies quoted near the top of this thread.  Reading these few comments by the researchers, helps you to understand why some of us complain of post-tx problems, and have developed strange, and sometimes debilitating syndromes that we never experienced before interferon.  Here are a couple of the comments:


"nterferon- (IFN-) is used as treatment for HCV infection. The therapeutic benefit is assumed to result from activation of natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells. Despite its beneficial effects, it has been associated with a number of autoimmune disorders, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and multiple sclerosis."  and,

"The development of fulminant demyelinating disease after administration of IFN- suggests that autoimmune mechanisms such as T cell mediated tissue damage might be initiated or aggravated by IFN- therapy."

Now I have to ask, where are all the post-tx studies by drug companies, or hepatologists, or anyone, tracking long term issues that might be developing after, and possibly due to interferon therapy.  I know no one has contacted me to ask how things are after tx.  Have all of you who have treated been contacted for your feedback by the medical community????  Gee, can I guess your answers in advance?......

DoubleDose