Euroasian journal of hepato-gastroenterology

Register      Login

VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2023 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis

Romman Fatima, Viquasuddin Mohammed, Afra Fatima, Syed Ilyaz

Keywords : Autoimmune hepatitis, Bilirubin, Biopsy, Case report, Cirrhosis of the liver

Citation Information : Fatima R, Mohammed V, Fatima A, Ilyaz S. Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis. Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol 2023; 13 (2):166-168.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1413

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 26-12-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) accounts for cases of chronic liver disease with greater incidence in females than males. It has a bimodal distribution in the age group peaking around pubertal periods and later in the fourth to sixth decade of life. It is characterized by continual hepatocellular inflammation and necrosis which bears the potential to progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Approximately a third of the patients manifest with features of acute hepatitis while some patients may progress to chronic liver disease with acute liver failure manifesting in the form of jaundice and coagulopathy. Management has long involved administration of corticosteroids alone or in association with other immunosuppressants like azathioprine to achieve long-term remission. Response to therapy is significantly variable as few patients achieve remission while some may relapse, thereby becoming candidates requiring lifelong therapy. It can either present as insidious onset or acute with manifestations ranging broadly from fatigue malaise, lethargy right upper quadrant pain weight loss anorexia, and jaundice, where up to one-third of patients may have progressed to frank cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis. A 62-year female presented with complaints of facial puffiness more around the eyes, associated with profoundly reduced appetite, yellowish discoloration of the skin, conjunctiva since 1 month, and sudden onset generalized itching not associated with fever, joint pains, weight loss, vomiting, loose stools, rash, or bleeding manifestations. She was admitted for further evaluation and workup. Liver function test revealed predominant unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with direct bilirubin of 0.7 mg/dL and indirect bilirubin of 1.6 mg/day and transaminitis. Further investigations showed significantly elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) and 1:80 titer of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). In view of the high suspicion of autoimmune etiologies, the patient was subjected to a liver biopsy that confirmed cirrhosis with moderate interface hepatitis in the background of negative viral serologies and substance abuse history. She was started on a steroid course on a monthly follow-up basis to ensure biochemical remission.


HTML PDF Share
  1. Linzay CD, Sharma B, Pandit S. Autoimmune Hepatitis.2023. In: StatPearls [Online]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459186/. Accessed on: November 2023.
  2. Zachou K, Muratori P, Koukoulis GK, et al. Review article: Autoimmune hepatitis—current management and challenges. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2013;38(8):887–913. DOI: 10.1111/apt.12470.
  3. Gatselis NK, Zachou K, Koukoulis GK, et al. Autoimmune hepatitis, one disease with many faces: Etiopathogenetic, clinico–laboratory and histological characteristics. World J Gastroenterol 2015;21(1):60–83. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.60.
  4. Dyson JK, De Martin E, Dalekos GN, et al. Review article: Unanswered clinical and research questions in autoimmune hepatitis—conclusions of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group Research Workshop. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019;49(5):528–536. DOI: 10.1111/apt.15111.
  5. Komori A. Recent updates on the management of autoimmune hepatitis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27(1):58–69. DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2020.0189.
  6. Malik TA, Saeed S. Autoimmune hepatitis: A review. J Pak Med Assoc 2010;60(5):381–387. PMID: 20527613.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.