Seamless management of biliary atresia in England and Wales (1999-2002)

BACKGROUND

Before 1999, infants born in the UK with suspected biliary atresia were investigated in regional centres, and, if confirmed, a Kasai operation was done there. Since 1999, all infants with suspected biliary atresia in England and Wales, UK, have been referred to one of three designated centres where both the Kasai operation and liver transplantation (if necessary) could be done.

METHODS

We assessed clearance of jaundice (bilirubin <20 micromol/L) as an early outcome in all cases of biliary atresia referred from one of the three centres. We then estimated survival using the Kaplan-Meier method with endpoints of liver transplantation or death.

FINDINGS

148 infants with biliary atresia were treated between January, 1999, and June, 2002. A primary portoenterostomy was done in 142 (96%) infants and a primary liver transplant in five (3%). One child died before any intervention. Early clearance of jaundice after portoenterostomy was achieved in 81 of 142 (57%) infants. Liver transplantation was done in 52 (37%) of those undergoing portoenterostomy. 13 (9%) infants died. Of the 135 children who survived, 84 (62%) still have their native liver and 51 (38%) had transplantation. The median follow-up of survivors was 2.13 (range 0.5-4.1) years. The overall 4-year estimated actuarial survival was 89% (95% CI 82-94). The 4-year estimated actuarial survival with native liver was 51% (42-59%).

INTERPRETATION

Our early results suggest that surgical outcome can be improved by centralisation of care to supra-regional centres.

The outcome of the older (> or =100 days) infant with biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

There is a detrimental effect of increasing age on the results of the Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia (BA), and some centers routinely advocate primary liver transplantation for the older infant, irrespective of other criteria. This perception that such infants are indeed irretrievable was tested by retrospective analysis.

METHODS

All infants who had undergone surgery for BA during the period 1980 through 2000 aged > or =100 days were reviewed. Actuarial survival was calculated using 2 end-points (death and transplantation). A retrospective review of their ultrasonography (n = 12) and preoperative liver histology (n = 22) was also undertaken to ascertain possible predictive criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 422 infants had BA diagnosed during this period, of which 35 (8.2%) were > or =100 days at surgery (median [interquartile range], 133 [range, 108 to 180] days). Surgery included portoenterostomy (n = 26), hepaticojejunostomy (n = 7), and a resection and end-to-end anastomosis (n = 1). A laparotomy only was performed in 1. Five- and 10-year actuarial survival rate with native liver was 45% and 40%, respectively. Currently, 12 (35%) patients are alive with their native liver (8 are anicteric), 9 (28%) have undergone transplantation, and 13 have died. Although there were some survival advantages for types 1 or 2 BA and "noncirrhosis" at time of surgery, neither reached statistical significance. Individual histologic features (eg, degrees of fibrosis, giant cell transformation, bile duct destruction) in the retrospective review of available material were not discriminatory. The finding of a "heterogeneous" parenchyma on ultrasonography was predictive of poor outcome but lacked sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential for reasonable medium-term survival is present in about one third of infants 100 days or older coming to primary corrective surgery. In the absence of accurate discrimination, the authors continue to favor this option rather than subject all to transplant simply on the basis of age.

Disseminated neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 infection diagnosed by HSV DNA detection in blood and successfully managed by liver transplantation

We report a case of neonatal herpes presenting with liver failure and disseminated coagulopathy which followed unrecognised maternal primary genital herpes and was diagnosed by herpes simplex virus DNA detection in blood by polymerase chain reaction 2 weeks after initiation of empiric intravenous aciclovir. The child underwent liver transplantation while receiving suppressive antiviral therapy and remains well after 10 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

our case highlights potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of neonatal herpes and indicates a role for blood herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction as a sensitive diagnostic tool in disseminated infection. It is one of very few reports where liver transplantation has been successfully carried out in a neonate with herpes simplex virus-induced liver failure.

Antenatal presentation of biliary atresia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the incidence, presence of associated anomalies, type of malformation, and natural history of children with biliary atresia (BA) who presented antenatally. Study design The database of 194 infants diagnosed with BA at our tertiary referral unit between 1991 and 2002 was reviewed for infants in whom routine antenatal ultrasound had revealed biliary cystic malformations (BCMs). A retrospective analysis of their medical records was undertaken.

RESULTS

Nine infants (six girls) with BCM were identified (4.6% of total referred patients with BA); all were born after 37 weeks' gestational age and presented to us at a median age of 4 weeks (range, 1-14 weeks). The presence of the BCM was confirmed on postnatal ultrasonography. Median age at corrective surgery was 5 weeks (range, 2-16 weeks). At surgery, six patients had type III BA, including one with the biliary atresia-splenic malformation syndrome; two had type II BA; and one had type I BA. Postoperatively, the infants were followed for a median of 2 years (range, 6 months to 11 years). All infants successfully cleared their jaundice.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved techniques in routine antenatal ultrasonography can allow early recognition of BCM. This study suggests that BCM noted antenatally may represent early presentation of both biliary atresia-splenic malformation and nonsyndromic BA.

Liver transplantation for fulminant liver failure in children

The mortality rate of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in childhood has remained between 70% and 95% despite recent improvements in medical therapy. Liver transplantation has become an important therapeutic option in adults with this entity, but has been infrequently performed in children. Many children do not receive transplants because of the rapid progression of the illness and the lack of suitable donor livers. We present our experience in liver transplantation in children with FHF. Between March 1988 and December 1989, seven children aged between 15 months and 12 years received eight liver transplants. The aetiology of FHF was viral hepatitis in five and drug hepatotoxicity (carbamazepine) in two. Five of our patients were in grade III-IV coma. Reduced-sized livers were used in six of the eight transplants. The post-operative morbidity included viral and fungal infections, and abdominal bleeding. Two patients died from graft-versus-host disease and one from brain aspergillosis. Four patients (57%) survived a median follow-up of 15 months. Liver transplantation should be the therapeutic option in children with FHF where the chances of medical recovery are poor.

Human hepatocyte isolation and relationship of cell viability to early graft function

Hepatocyte transplantation is emerging as an additional modality of treatment for patients with acute liver failure or liver-based metabolic disorders. The procedure requires isolation of high-quality hepatocytes from unused donor livers. Hepatocytes were isolated from 20 donor livers (11 right lobes, 3 left lateral segments, 6 whole livers) using a collagenase perfusion technique. Cell viability (median 56%, range 13-95%) and yield (median 1.4 x 10(9) cells, range 2.0 x 10(6)-1.8 x 10(10) cells) varied according to the tissue available. Fatty livers rejected for transplantation gave lower cell viability (median 45%, range 25-59%). There was a significant correlation between age of donor (median 21 years, range 7-66 years) and viability of isolated hepatocytes in vitro (r = -0.683, p = 0.001). The 13 segments of livers were from reduced/split grafts used for clinical transplantation in 9 children and 4 adults. There was no significant correlation between in vitro cell viability and clinical parameters including intensive care stay, serum aspartate aminotransferase,and international normalized ratio (in the first 7 days), and allograft rejection or other early posttransplant complications, in patients transplanted with the corresponding tissue.

The spectrum of surgical jaundice in infancy

BACKGROUND

Conjugated jaundice arising during infancy may be caused by a number of different surgical conditions. The aim of this study was to compare clinical features, management, and outcome of all types of surgical jaundice presenting in the first year of life.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all infants born in the United Kingdom with jaundice caused by a surgical cause referred to the authors' institution from January 1992 to December 1999.

RESULTS

There were 171 infants who could be separated into 3 specific groups: biliary atresia (BA, n = 137), inspissated bile syndrome (IBS; n = 14), and choledochal malformation (CM; n = 12) together with a group containing various miscellaneous conditions (n = 8). Infants with BA had higher bilirubin (P <.01) and aspartate aminotransferase levels (P <.001) and came to surgery earlier (P <.01) than infants with either IBS or CM. Infants with IBS and CM were more likely to be premature and have other malformations, respectively. Ultrasound scan was the principal investigation in the differentiation of BA from other causes of jaundice. Accurate prelaparotomy diagnosis was made by percutaneous liver biopsy in 87% of cases later shown to be BA. Currently, 88 (64%) of children with BA are alive with their native liver postportoenterostomy, 4 have died, and 45 have undergone liver transplantation (with 1 death postoperatively). A policy of primary portoenterostomy for BA followed by transplantation, if necessary, resulted in a survival rate of over 95%. All children in the other diagnostic groups are alive and anicteric after appropriate surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 80% of infants presenting with surgical jaundice have biliary atresia, whereas those with inspissated bile syndrome and choledochal malformations make up most of the remainder. Mortality in this age-group is confined to infants with BA, but even on these infants an overall survival rate of greater than 95% is currently expected.

Long-term survival following Kasai portoenterostomy: is chronic liver disease inevitable?

OBJECTIVES

Extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is the most common indication for liver transplantation in childhood. Most children who do not undergo transplant are reported to have chronic liver disease and its complications. The aim of this single-center study was to identify children with normal laboratory indices and no clinical evidence of chronic liver disease 10 or more years after Kasai portoenterostomy (KP).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the medical notes of all children surgically treated at the authors' center between 1979 and 1991 was undertaken. Criteria for inclusion were absence of surgical complications, unremarkable clinical examination, and normal bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, international normalized prothrombin ratio, and platelet count.

RESULTS

Of 244 children surgically treated during the observation period, the authors identified 28 (11%) adolescents (14 male) who fulfilled the entry criteria. Their median age was 13.4 years (range, 10.2-22.2 years). Twenty-six with type 3 EHBA had conventional KP, whereas 2 underwent modified operations. The corrective surgery was performed at a median age of 58 days (range, 20-99 days). Median time of complete clearance of jaundice from the date of KP was 75 days (range, 21-339 days). Twelve (43%) patients had history of cholangitis at a median age of 3.4 years. The liver histologic findings were suggestive of mild to moderate fibrosis in 54.2% and cirrhosis in 40.7% of the patients who underwent biopsy. No child had gastrointestinal bleeding during follow-up. Thirteen (46%) patients had an elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which was normal in all. Twenty-six (93%) patients were in mainstream education, whereas the remaining two (7%) attended special school because of reasons unrelated to liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS

A sizable proportion of children with EHBA avoid significant chronic liver disease and its complications 10 years or more after conventional surgical correction and have an excellent quality of life. Their good outcome is not hampered by isolated episodes of ascending cholangitis. Whether or not the residual histologic damage will become symptomatic during their lifetime remains to be established.

Mimicry between the hepatitis C virus polyprotein and antigenic targets of nuclear and smooth muscle antibodies in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Autoantibodies to smooth muscle (SMA) and nuclear components (ANA) arise in the natural course of chronic infection with hepatitis C virus. In view of the growing evidence for 'molecular mimicry' as a mechanism of autoimmunity we investigated whether cross-reactive immune reactions between host smooth muscle/nuclear components and HCV antigens may contribute to the formation of SMA and ANA in chronic HCV infection. Computer-assisted protein database search methods were used to identify three smooth muscle (smoothelin698-717, myosin1035-1054, vimentin69-88) and three nuclear (matrin722-741, histone H2A11-30, replication protein A133-152) host antigens with the highest local sequence similarity to the HCV polyprotein and 20-mer peptides corresponding to these regions were constructed. Sera from 51 children with chronic HCV infection [median age: 8 (2-16); 27 boys], 26 SMA positive and five ANA positive, were tested for reactivity to the synthesized HCV peptides and their human homologues by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from patients with HBV infection and chronic liver disease of different aetiologies were used as controls. 'Double reactivity' to HCV peptides and smooth muscle/nuclear homologues was associated strongly with HCV infection (P < 0.001 for both). Humoral cross-reactivity was established as the basis for double recognition by competition ELISA. Double-reactivity to smooth muscle and HCV peptide antigens correlated with SMA positivity by indirect immunofluouresence (P = 0.05). Of 15 patients double-reactive to myosin1035-1054 and its HCV homologue, 13 recognized whole myosin by immunoblot. These results suggest that ANA and SMA in chronic HCV infection may arise, at least in part, as a consequence of cross-reactive immune responses to HCV and host smooth muscle/nuclear antigens.

Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is the archetype of liver autoimmune disease. It is divided into two types, according to the autoantibody profile. It should be suspected and diagnosed early since treatment is highly effective in preventing liver failure and transplant. The possible pathogenic scenario is described in the present review.

Neonatal hemochromatosis

Neonatal hemochromatosis is a rare gestational condition in which iron accumulates in the fetal tissues in a distribution like that seen in hereditary hemochromatosis. Extensive liver damage is the dominant clinical feature, with late fetal loss or early neonatal death. NH recurs within sibships at a rate higher than that predicted for simple Mendelian autosomal-recessive inheritance, possibly suggesting the role of a maternal factor. Immunomodulation during pregnancy at risk appears to lessen the severity of disease.

Liver transplantation for Wilson's disease: long-term results and quality-of-life assessment

BACKGROUND

Wilson's disease associated with severe liver disease is effectively cured by orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, there are also anecdotal reports of improved or resolved neurologic symptoms after OLT in patients with stable or normal liver function. Side effects with conventional chelating agents are common, and it has been suggested that OLT should be considered in patients with severe progressive neurologic symptoms. However, the decision to apply this therapeutic modality to a subgroup of patients without significant liver disease is a quality-of-life issue.

METHODS

Long-term follow-up and quality-of-life data were obtained prospectively for 24 patients who underwent OLT between 1988 and 2000 for Wilson's disease associated with severe liver disease. In long-term survivors, quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire.

RESULTS

One patient who had multiorgan failure before OLT died within 24 hr of surgery and two patients died within 1 year because of immunosuppressant-related complications. There have been no deaths or graft loss in patients who have undergone transplantation since 1994, and after a median follow-up of 92 months, all survivors have satisfactory graft function (5-year patient and graft survival, 87.5%), with quality-of-life scores (assessed in 86% of survivors) comparable to age- and sex-matched controls from the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' results suggest that liver transplantation can be safely performed in patients with Wilson's disease, with excellent long-term results and quality of life. Further study of the utility of liver transplantation in the management of patients with severe neurologic symptoms is justified.

Polymerase chain reaction-based diagnosis of infection with Cryptosporidium in children with primary immunodeficiencies

BACKGROUND

Patients with deficient cell-mediated immunity are prone to chronic biliary tract infection with Cryptosporidium, which can lead to the development of sclerosing cholangitis and acute cryptosporidiosis after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The organism is very difficult to detect during asymptomatic periods.

METHODS

PCR techniques were compared with standard microscopy for detecting the organism in such patients. Amplification targets were two fragments of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (unnested) and part of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene (nested and unnested). Twenty eight-patients with primary immunodeficiencies were studied including: CD40 ligand deficiency (13); undefined combined immunodeficiency (10); major histocompatibility complex II deficiency (2); and other defects (3). Samples analyzed included stool, bile and liver tissue.

RESULTS

Of 25 patients tested prospectively, Cryptosporidium could be detected by PCR but not by microscopy in 12, only 3 of whom had a known history of infection. Five of this group had sclerosing cholangitis. Nine of the PCR-positive patients subsequently underwent BMT and 5 developed acute posttransplant diarrhea and cholangiopathy associated with Cryptosporidium excretion. Of the 13 PCR-negative patients, 3 had cholangiopathy (sclerosing cholangitis in 1 and minor changes in 2). Four of these underwent BMT and none developed cryptosporidiosis. In 3 patients, studied only after developing post-BMT cholangiopathy and diarrhea, Cryptosporidium was detected by PCR but not by microscopy. Genotyping and sequencing showed multiple types of Cryptosporidium in approximately one-third of positive cases.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that PCR-based procedures are more sensitive than microscopy for detecting Cryptosporidium in patients with immunodeficiencies.

Mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetics in pediatric liver transplant recipients

The aim of this study is to study mycophenolic acid (MPA) pharmacokinetics in stable pediatric liver transplant recipients and determine which times best represent the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) of MPA plasma concentrations. MPA pharmacokinetic profiles were determined in 21 liver transplant recipients (age, 2 to 15 years; 12 boys) administered mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for at least 6 months. Ten patients were coadministered cyclosporine A (CsA), and 11 patients were coadministered tacrolimus (Tac). Plasma MPA levels were analyzed by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique in blood samples at 0, 0.33, 0.67, 1.25, 2, 3.5, 5, and 7 hours after MMF administration. The AUC of plasma concentrations to 7 hours (AUC(0-7)) was calculated using the linear trapezoidal rule. MPA plasma trough concentration (C(0)), maximal concentration, and AUC(0-7) values ranged 9- to 14-fold at a median of 1.81 mg/L (range, 0.4 to 3.7 mg/L), 10.5 mg/L (range, 2.8 to 40.0 mg/L), and 30.2 mg/L.hr (range, 9.3 to 80.3 mg/L.hr), respectively. AUC(0-7) correlated significantly with MMF dose (r = 0.552; P =.010) and C(0) (r = 0.844; P <.001). Median AUC(0-7) (29.6 v 31.4 mg/L.hr; P =.918) was similar in children comedicated with CsA or Tac. Median MMF dose was greater in the CsA group (500 v 250 mg; P =.006). Consequently, median AUC(0-7) was significantly lower in the CsA group when equalized for dose and body weight (2.02 v 3.85 microg/L.hr per mg of MMF dose per kg of weight; P =.002). Variations of MPA pharmacokinetics in pediatric liver transplant recipients suggest that monitoring MPA plasma levels is required. C(0) correlates closely with AUC. Comedication with CsA increased MMF dosage requirements compared with children on Tac therapy.

Basiliximab (Simulect) for the treatment of steroid-resistant rejection in pediatric liver transpland recipients: a preliminary experience

BACKGROUND

The role of interleukin-2 receptor antibodies as rescue therapy in steroid-resistant rejection (SRR) has not been studied. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of an interleukin-2 receptor antibody, basiliximab (Simulect, Novartis, East Hanover, NJ), in treating SRR in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of seven pediatric liver transplant recipients with biopsy-proven SRR who would have otherwise received OKT3 or antithymocyte globulin. The primary immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine (Neoral, Novartis), azathioprine, and prednisolone in four patients and tacrolimus and prednisolone in three patients who had undergone retransplantation for chronic rejection (n=2) and hyperacute rejection (n=1). Four patients had received two cycles of high-dose steroids, and three patients had received a single cycle; all had been converted to tacrolimus, followed by the addition of mycophenolate mofetil.

RESULTS

The median time from transplant to SRR was 30 days (range, 8 days-23 months). Five children received two doses of basiliximab (10 mg, 3-7 days apart), and two children received a single dose. Aspartate aminotransferase levels normalized in three children 12, 21, and 30 days after basiliximab treatment. Aspartate aminotransferase levels decreased without normalizing in two children, but there was no further evidence of cellular rejection on repeat biopsies. All five children are rejection-free with a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 5-32 months). Biochemical abnormalities persisted in the remaining two children, and both developed chronic rejection. There were no immediate side effects associated with basiliximab. Two patients were treated empirically for possible cytomegalovirus infection 21 and 57 days after basiliximab treatment, with no evidence of cytomegalovirus disease.

CONCLUSION

Five of seven pediatric liver transplant recipients with SRR experienced successful outcomes with basiliximab treatment without major side effects, indicating that it is a safe alternative to OKT3 and other antilymphocyte antibodies.

Intestinal absorption of mixed micellar phylloquinone (vitamin K1) is unreliable in infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia: implications for oral prophylaxis of vitamin K deficiency bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To compare the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of oral versus intravenous mixed micellar vitamin K prophylaxis in infants with cholestatic liver disease, a known risk factor for vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

DESIGN

Prospective randomised controlled study.

SETTING

Paediatric Liver Unit.

PATIENTS

Forty four infants less than 6 months of age with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Serum concentrations of vitamin K(1) and undercarboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II; a sensitive functional indicator of vitamin K status) before and for up to four days after a single dose of mixed micellar K(1) 1 mg intravenously or 2 mg orally. Comparison of K(1) levels 24 hours after oral K(1) with those from 14 healthy newborns given the same dose.

RESULTS

At admission, 18 infants (41%) had elevated levels of serum PIVKA-II and eight (18%) had low K(1) concentrations, indicative of subclinical vitamin K deficiency. Median serum K(1) concentrations were similar in the oral and intravenous groups at baseline (0.92 v 1.15 ng/ml), rising to 139 ng/ml six hours after intravenous K(1) but to only 1.4 ng/ml after oral administration. In the latter group, the low median value (0.95 ng/ml) and wide range (< 0.15-111 ng/ml) of serum K(1) compared unfavourably with the much higher levels (median 77, range 11-263 ng/ml) observed in healthy infants given the same oral dose, and suggested impaired and erratic intestinal absorption in cholestatic infants. The severity of malabsorption was such that only 4/24 (17%) achieved an incremental rise in serum K(1) > 10 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The intestinal absorption of mixed micellar K(1) is unreliable in infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Given the strong association between cholestasis and late vitamin K deficiency bleeding, these data provide an explanation for the failure of some oral vitamin K(1) prophylaxis regimens in infants with latent cholestasis.

Autoimmune liver disease in children

Autoimmune liver disorders are characterised by an inflammatory liver histology, circulating non-organ specific autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the absence of a known aetiology. They respond to immunosuppressive treatment, which should be instituted as soon as diagnosis is made. Liver disorders with a likely autoimmune pathogenesis include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). Two types of AIH are recognised according to seropositivity for smooth muscle and/or antinuclear antibody (SMA/ANA, type 1) or liver kidney microsomal antibody (LKM1, type 2). There is a female predominance in both. LKM1-positive patients tend to present more acutely, at a younger age, and commonly have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency, while duration of symptoms before diagnosis, clinical signs, family history of autoimmunity, presence of associated autoimmune disorders, response to treatment and long-term prognosis are similar in both groups. The most common type of paediatric sclerosing cholangitis is ASC. The clinical, biochemical, immunological and histological presentation of ASC is often indistinguishable from that of AIH. In both, there are high IgG, non-organ specific autoantibodies and interface hepatitis. Diagnosis is made by cholangiography. Children with ASC respond to immunosuppression satisfactorily and similarly to AIH in respect to remission and relapse rates, times to normalisation of biochemical parameters and decreased inflammatory activity on follow-up liver biopsies. However, the cholangiopathy can progress and there may be an evolution from AIH to ASC over the years, despite treatment. Whether the juvenile autoimmune form of sclerosing cholangitis and AIH are 2 distinct entities, or different aspects of the same condition, remains to be elucidated.

Cytochrome P4502D6(193-212): a new immunodominant epitope and target of virus/self cross-reactivity in liver kidney microsomal autoantibody type 1-positive liver disease

Cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6), target of liver kidney microsomal autoantibody type 1 (LKM1), characterizes autoimmune hepatitis type 2 (AIH2) but is also found in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To provide a complete linear epitope B cell map of CYP2D6, we tested peptides spanning the entire sequence of CYP2D6. In addition to confirming previously described antigenic sites, we identified four new epitopes (193-212, 238-257, 268-287, and 478-497). CYP2D6(193-212) is immunodominant and was the target of 12 of 13 (93%) patients with AIH2 and 5 of 10 (50%) HCV/LKM1-positive patients. Because LKM1 is present in both AIH2 and a viral infection, we tested whether Abs to CYP2D6(193-212) arise through cross-reactive immunity between virus and self. We identified a hexameric sequence "RLLDLA" sharing 5 of 6 aa with "RLLDLS" of HCV(2985-2990) and all 6 aa with CMV(130-135). Of 17 CYP2D6(193-212)-reactive sera, 11 (7 AIH and 4 HCV) reacted by ELISA with the HCV homologue, 8 (5 AIH and 3 HCV) with the CMV homologue, and 8 (5 AIH and 3 HCV) showed double reactivity. Autoantibody binding to CYP2D6(193-212) was inhibited by preincubation with HCV(2977-2996) or CMV(121-140). Recombinant HCV-nonstructural protein 5 and CMV-UL98 proteins also inhibited Ab binding to CYP2D6(193-212). Affinity-purified CYP2D6(193-212)-specific Ab inhibited the metabolic activity of CYP2D6. The demonstrated similarity and cross-reactivity between CYP2D6(193-212) and two unrelated viruses suggests that multiple exposure to viruses mimicking self may represent an important pathway to the development of autoimmunity.

Acute sickle cell hepatopathy represents a potential contraindication for percutaneous liver biopsy

After several complications following percutaneous liver biopsy in patients with sickle cell disease, we reviewed our experience. We examined 14 patients with sickle cell disease who underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy. Clinicopathologic findings were correlated with outcome. Of 14 patients, 5 (36%) suffered serious hemorrhage; 4 died (80%; 28% of all patients). None of the 9 patients without biopsy complications was in an acute sickling crisis at the time of biopsy; 4 of 5 patients with complications were in acute sickling crisis. Of the 5 patients with complications, 4 underwent biopsy for an emergency indication. Chronic venous outflow obstruction, marked hepatic sequestration of erythrocytes, and sinusoidal dilatation were strongly associated with complications. Data obtained by biopsy in group 1 were not of substantial value in clinical management, in contrast to group 2 (8/9; 89%). Acute hepatic disease complicating sickle cell anemia represents a newly identified contraindication to percutaneous liver biopsy.

Organ and non-organ specific autoantibody titres and IgG levels as markers of disease activity: a longitudinal study in childhood autoimmune liver disease

No longitudinal study has investigated whether autoantibody titres and serum IgG levels correlate with disease activity in autoimmune liver disease. To determine this, we investigated prospectively 19 patients on 254 occasions between 10 months to 5 years from diagnosis. Nine had anti-nuclear and/or anti-smooth muscle antibody (ANA/SMA) positive autoimmune hepatitis (type 1 AIH), 5 liver kidney microsomal type 1 (LKM-1) positive AIH (type 2 AIH) and 5 ANA/SMA positive autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). Correlation between IgG levels, titres of ANA, SMA and LKM-1 and levels of the organ specific autoantibodies anti-liver specific protein (anti-LSP), and anti-asialoglycoprotein receptor (anti-ASGPR) with biochemical evidence of disease activity, as measured by serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) levels, was sought during the course of the disease. AST levels correlated with levels of anti-LSP, anti-ASGPR and IgG in type 1 and 2 AIH, but not in ASC. Positive correlation with AST was also observed for LKM-1 titres in type 2 AIH and for SMA titres in type 1 AIH, but not in ASC. In both AIH and ASC, AST levels correlated with the T cell-dependent immune responses anti rubella IgG and anti tetanus toxoid IgG, but not with the T cell-independent IgG2 response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccaride. Our results indicate that measurement of organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies and IgG levels may be used to monitor disease activity in AIH.

Neonatal liver disease associated with placental transfer of anti-mitochondrial antibodies

BACKGROUND

Anti-mitochondrial antibody is the diagnostic hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis. Its role in the aetiology of primary biliary cirrhosis is controversial.

METHODS

Two cases of neonatal hepatitis seropositive for anti-mitochondrial antibody are described. Anti-mitochondrial antibody Ig isotype and epitopic specificity were investigated by immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassays.

RESULTS

In both infants anti-mitochondrial antibody was of the G class, mainly G1 and G3 subclasses, and reacted with two synthetic peptides reproducing major M2 epitopicregions: innerlipoyl domain pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC)-E2(162-176) and PDC-E3 binding protein (PDC-E3BP)86-100. One infant also reacted with outer lipoyl domain PDC-E2(35-49), and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC)-E2(99-113). An identical pattern of reactivity was present in their mothers, indicating the maternal origin of the antibodies. Anti-mitochondrial antibody disappeared in the infants with the disappearance of the liver pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous disappearance of hepatitis and anti-mitochondrial antibody in the infants suggests a possible causal link between the two.