Interferon-induced vitiligo in a patient with chronic viral hepatitis C infection.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by depigmentation of the skin due to destruction of melanocytes. Interferons have been used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and some malignancies. We report interferon alpha-2a-induced vitiligo in a male patient with chronic active hepatitis C. All skin lesions disappeared completely without requiring therapy after discontinuation of interferon. This case suggests that vitiligo may be developed during interferon therapy as a side effect.