Autoimmune hepatitis in a genetically susceptible patient: Is it triggered by acute viral hepatitis A?

Nir Hilzenrat, Doron Zilberman, Tirza Klein, Z. U.R. Boaz, Emanuel Sikuler

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    41 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The pathogenic mechanisms for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are not completely known. Susceptibility to AIH is associated with the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II: DR3 and DR4. Nevertheless, AIH does not have a strong genetic predisposition, suggesting that other factors are involved. Perhaps the strongest evidence of a viral cause for AIH exists for hepatitis C virus. AIH has been reported to develop rarely after acute infection with hepatitis A virus. We report on a 55-year-old woman in whom AIH developed during the convalescence period of serologically proven acute viral hepatitis type A. HLA class II DRB1*0401, which was reported to be associated with AIH with a moderate coarse and late appearance in life, was found in this patient. Steroid therapy was followed by a complete clinical remission. Our case supports the possibility that acute hepatitis A may trigger the development of AIH in a genetically susceptible subject.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1950-1952
    Number of pages3
    JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
    Volume44
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 11 Nov 1999

    Keywords

    • Autoimmune hepatitis
    • Corticosteroids
    • HLA class II
    • IgM anti-HAV

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physiology
    • Gastroenterology

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