[Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a case of chronic hepatitis type C 56 weeks after initiation of second line treatment with pegylated interferon alpha2b/ribavirin combination therapy].

A 49-year-old man with chronic type C hepatitis had agreed to undergo pegylated interferon alpha2b/ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy during 48 weeks, but his hepatitis relapsed. Despite of second line treatment with the same combination, 56 weeks later, his hemoglobin decreased and the dose of RBV was decreased. He was then admitted to our hospital because of increasing anemia and this combination therapy was stopped. The results of blood chemistry and immunological examination revealed he had contracted autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). In cases of deterioration of anemia during this combination, we must discuss about not only RBV-induced hemolytic anemia but also AIHA.