[Necrotizing fasciitis in a patient during interferon-alpha treatment for hepatitis C virus infection: case report].

Necrotizing fascitis (NF) is a rare disease with a mortality rate ranging from 24 to 60 percent. The infection may be mono- or polymicrobial and is characterized by extensive necrosis of the skin and muscle, as well as fascia and subcutaneous tissue. NF may develop at the site of injury, e.g. trauma, needle puncture, or surgical incision. The lower extremities, perineum, and abdominal wall are common sites of NF. The remaining 10 percent of cases occur in the upper extremities or neck, usually in patients with vascular disease or diabetes mellitus. The course is rapidly progressive and may be life-threatening if the diagnosis is not made promptly and appropriate surgical debridement is not carried out. We report on a 44-year-old man with necrotizing fascitis during interferon-alpha treatment for hepatitis C virus infection.