Can hepatitis C virus infection and interferon-α undo the HLA-DRB1*0402/DQB1*0302 protection against rheumatoid arthritis? [1]

Abstract

In summary, in our patient it is likely that DRB1*0301/ DQ2-dependent interaction between HCV infection and IFN-α therapy prevailed over the DRB1*0402/DQ8 'protective' effect by inducing RA. Such a hypothesis needs to be investigated on a wider number of RA patients in whom the disease has been triggered or exacerbated by HCV infection and/or IFN-α therapy.