Hepatitis C virus-related fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis after cardiac transplantation: is azathioprine a contributory factor?

J Heart Lung Transplant. 1999 Jun;18(6):607-10. doi: 10.1016/s1053-2498(98)00019-9.

Abstract

We report a patient who acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at cardiac transplantation, developing fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH) with early liver failure and a fatal outcome. FCH is a recently described clinicopathological entity characterized by a cholestatic pattern of serum liver enzyme abnormalities, a progressive course leading to liver failure, and a pathological picture defined by periportal fibrosis, neutrophilic infiltrates and signs of histological cholestasis. Although it was initially described secondary to hepatitis B virus infection, it has also been recently related to HCV infection. Some histopathological features consistent with azathioprine hepatotoxicity like cholestasis, perisinusoidal fibrosis, veno-subocclusive lesions and nodular regenerative hyperplasia were also observed in this case. Therefore, a direct cytopathic effect of HCV and the concurrent pathogenic role of azathioprine hepatotoxicity may be involved in the development of this complication of transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Azathioprine / administration & dosage
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / chemically induced*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Hepatitis C / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / chemically induced*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / pathology
  • Liver Regeneration / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Portal Vein / drug effects
  • Portal Vein / pathology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine