Post-liver transplantation de novo hepatitis with overlap features

Pathol Int. 2005 Oct;55(10):660-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2005.01886.x.

Abstract

The development of de novo autoimmune liver disease after liver transplantation (LT) has been described in both children and adults. Reported herein is a case that is best characterized as post-LT de novo hepatitis with features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)-primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlap. A 56-year-old man underwent LT for decompensated liver disease secondary to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. His liver function tests became markedly abnormal 8 months after LT. Sequential liver transplant biopsy findings were confusing and shared findings seen with both AIH and PBC. Although standard autoimmune serological tests were negative, a dramatic biochemical response was observed to a regimen consisting of prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and ursodeoxycholic acid added to maintainance tacrolimus. The donor was histocompatibility leukocyte antigen, DR4, positive, a haplotype associated with the development of AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. In conclusion the authors believe that this may be a case of post-LT de novo overlap syndrome of AIH-PBC, a novel 'autoimmune-type' response.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / etiology*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / drug therapy
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / etiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / pathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cholagogues and Choleretics
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Prednisone