Thrombotic microangiopathy associated with use of interferon-beta

Teresa Olea,1 Raquel Díaz-Mancebo,1 Maria-Luz Picazo,2 Jorge Martínez-Ara,1 Angel Robles,3 Rafael Selgas,11Departments of Nephrology, 2Pathology, 3Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, SpainAbstract: Interferon-beta is widely used for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. The drug is usually well tolerated, but autoimmune adverse effects, including kidney disease, have been reported. Only a few cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome-thrombotic microangiopathy associated interferon-alpha have been described so far, and even fewer with beta-interferon. We report a patient who developed thrombotic microangiopathy during treatment with interferon-beta and improved after discontinuation and steroid therapy. Complement cascade and antiphospholipid antibodies are investigated. The spectrum of renal diseases associated with interferon-beta treatment is also reviewed.Keywords: thrombotic microangiopathy hemolytic uremic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, interferon-beta