Exacerbation of psoriasis due to interferon-alpha treatment of chronic active hepatitis.

Interferon-alpha is an immune modulating drug which is indicated for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and C. Several previous reports have suggested an association between treatment of patients with interferon-alpha and the development or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases. We report two patients with chronic viral hepatitis in whom treatment with interferon-alpha was associated with dramatic worsening of previously diagnosed psoriasis, necessitating discontinuation of the drug.