Interferon beta 1a-induced severe autoimmune hepatitis in patients with multiple sclerosis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Type I interferons are potent cytokines that possess antiviral, immunomodulating and antiproliferative actions. The development of autoimmune hepatitis is a well recognized complication of treatment with alpha IFN in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Yet, the occurrence in patients under treatment with beta IFN for other indications is controversial and its occurrence often underestimated. We report two cases of severe acute autoimmune hepatitis in two patients undergoing therapy with IFN beta 1a for multiple sclerosis who recovered under early immunosuppressive therapy.