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Church NI, Pereira SP, Deheragoda MG, Sandanayake N, Amin Z, Lees WR, Gillams A, Rodriguez-Justo M, Novelli M, Seward EW, Hatfield ARW, Webster GJM. Autoimmune pancreatitis: clinical and radiological features and objective response to steroid therapy in a UK series. Am J Gastroenterol 2007; 102:2417-25. [PMID: 17894845 DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01531.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most cases of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) have been reported from Japan. We present data on a UK series, including clinical and radiological features at presentation, and longitudinal response to immunosuppression. METHODS Over an 18-month period, all patients diagnosed in our center with AIP were studied. Endoscopic biliary stenting was performed as required, and patients were treated with prednisolone, with response assessed longitudinally. In cases of disease relapse following steroid reduction, azathioprine was instituted. RESULTS Eleven patients met diagnostic criteria for AIP. Diffuse pancreatic enlargement was seen in eight patients (73%), and pancreatic duct strictures in all. Seven patients required biliary stents. Extrapancreatic involvement occurred in all, including intrahepatic stricturing and renal disease. Eight weeks after starting steroids, the median serum bilirubin level had fallen from 38 mumol/L to 11 mumol/L (P= 0.001), and ALT from 97 IU/L to 39 IU/L (P= 0.002). Stents were removed in all cases, with no recurrence of jaundice. Improvements in mass lesions and pancreaticobiliary stricturing occurred in all patients. During a median 18-month follow-up, six patients relapsed, four of whom responded to azathioprine. Two patients discontinued steroids and remained well. CONCLUSIONS Extrapancreatic disease was an important feature of AIP in this UK series. Initial response to immunosuppressive therapy was excellent, but disease relapse was common. Optimal long-term management remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas I Church
- Department of Gastroenterology, University College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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52
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Kountouras J, Zavos C, Gavalas E, Tzilves D. Challenge in the pathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis: potential role of helicobacter pylori infection via molecular mimicry. Gastroenterology 2007; 133:368-9. [PMID: 17631165 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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53
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Abstract
Autoimmune pancreatitis is a unique form of chronic pancreatitis characterized by a high serum IgG4 concentration, and complications involving various extrapancreatic lesions. It should be emphasized that autoimmune pancreatitis is easily misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer. This disease predominantly affects elderly men. The major symptom at onset is obstructive jaundice, while severe abdominal pain is rare. Blood tests have shown abnormal results, which could be attributed mainly to the obstructive jaundice. With regard to autoantibodies, the positive rate for the antinuclear antibody is 40%; however, disease-specific autoantibodies are rarely found. About half of the patients with autoimmune pancreatitis have shown exocrine and endocrine dysfunctions. IgG4 is a sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis. In differentiating between pancreatic cancer and autoimmune pancreatitis, IgG4 shows a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 98%, and an accuracy of 95%. HLA DRB1*0405-DQB1*0401 alleles are significantly associated with autoimmune pancreatitis, and may present a specific peptide which triggers the autoimmune response. Various imaging findings have shown pancreatic swelling, irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, and stenosis of the lower bile duct. Histology shows a significant presence of lymphocytes, plasma cell infiltration, and fibrosis with abundant IgG4-bearing plasma cell infiltration. After corticosteroid treatment, imaging findings and pancreatic functions usually improve significantly. It is probable that autoimmune pancreatitis is an essentially progressive condition resulting in pancreatic stone formation in a similar way to ordinary chronic pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeyuki Kawa
- Center for Health, Safety and Environmental Management, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
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OHARA H, NAKAZAWA T, ANDO T, HAYASHI K, TANAKA H, OGAWA K, NAITOH I, OKUMURA F, JOH T. Systemic extrapancreatic lesions associated with autoimmune pancreatitis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.2958/suizo.22.657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry L Finkelberg
- Department of Medicine (Gastrointestinal Unit), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Hamano H, Arakura N, Muraki T, Ozaki Y, Kiyosawa K, Kawa S. Prevalence and distribution of extrapancreatic lesions complicating autoimmune pancreatitis. J Gastroenterol 2006; 41:1197-205. [PMID: 17287899 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-006-1908-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune pancreatitis is a unique form of chronic pancreatitis characterized by high serum IgG4 concentrations and abundant IgG4-bearing plasma cell infiltration in the pancreatic lesion, and it has been reported to be associated with a variety of extrapancreatic lesions, leading us to postulate the concept of a systemic inflammatory disease. To confirm this, we clarified the exact distribution of these extrapancreatic lesions and provide a panoramic view of them. METHODS The frequency, distribution, clinical characteristics, and pathology of five extrapancreatic lesions were determined in 64 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis by examining clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS The most frequent extrapancreatic lesion was hilar lymphadenopathy (80.4%), followed by extrapancreatic bile duct lesions (73.9%), lachrymal and salivary gland lesions (39.1%), hypothyroidism (22.2%), and retroperitoneal fibrosis (12.5%). No patients had all five types of lesions. Patients with hilar lymphadenopathy or lachrymal and salivary gland lesions were found to have significantly higher IgG4 levels than those without (P = 0.0042 and 0.0227, respectively). Patients with three lesions were found to have significantly higher IgG4 levels than those with no lesion, suggesting that patients with multiple extrapancreatic lesions have active disease. Similar to pancreatic lesions, extrapancreatic lesions have a characteristic histological finding of abundant IgG4-bearing plasma cell infiltration, and they respond favorably to corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS Autoimmune pancreatitis was recognized as a systemic inflammatory disease. Furthermore, recognition of these characteristic findings will aid in the correct diagnosis of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Hamano
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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Abstract
Secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) is a disease that is morphologically similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) but that originates from a known pathological process. Its clinical and cholangiographic features may mimic PSC, yet its natural history may be more favorable if recognition is prompt and appropriate therapy is introduced. Thus, the diagnosis of PSC requires the exclusion of secondary causes of sclerosing cholangitis and recognition of associated conditions that may potentially imitate its classic cholangiographic features. Well-described causes of SSC include intraductal stone disease, surgical or blunt abdominal trauma, intra-arterial chemotherapy, and recurrent pancreatitis. However, a wide variety of other associations have been reported recently, including autoimmune pancreatitis, portal biliopathy, eosinophillic and/or mast cell cholangitis, hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor, recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, primary immune deficiency, and AIDS-related cholangiopathy. This article offers a comprehensive review of SSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Abdalian
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Neild GH, Rodriguez-Justo M, Wall C, Connolly JO. Hyper-IgG4 disease: report and characterisation of a new disease. BMC Med 2006; 4:23. [PMID: 17026742 PMCID: PMC1618394 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-4-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2006] [Accepted: 10/06/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We highlight a chronic inflammatory disease we call 'hyper-IgG4 disease', which has many synonyms depending on the organ involved, the country of origin and the year of the report. It is characterized histologically by a lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with IgG4-positive cells and exuberant fibrosis, which leaves dense fibrosis on resolution. A typical example is idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, but the initial report in 2001 was of sclerosing pancreatitis. METHODS We report an index case with fever and severe systemic disease. We have also reviewed the histology of 11 further patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis for evidence of IgG4-expressing plasma cells, and examined a wide range of other inflammatory conditions and fibrotic diseases as organ-specific controls. We have reviewed the published literature for disease associations with idiopathic, systemic fibrosing conditions and the synonyms: pseudotumour, myofibroblastic tumour, plasma cell granuloma, systemic fibrosis, xanthofibrogranulomatosis, and multifocal fibrosclerosis. RESULTS Histology from all 12 patients showed, to varying degrees, fibrosis, intense inflammatory cell infiltration with lymphocytes, plasma cells, scattered neutrophils, and sometimes eosinophilic aggregates, with venulitis and obliterative arteritis. The majority of lymphocytes were T cells that expressed CD8 and CD4, with scattered B-cell-rich small lymphoid follicles. In all cases, there was a significant increase in IgG4-positive plasma cells compared with controls. In two cases, biopsies before and after steroid treatment were available, and only scattered plasma cells were seen after treatment, none of them expressing IgG4. Review of the literature shows that although pathology commonly appears confined to one organ, patients can have systemic symptoms and fever. In the active period, there is an acute phase response with a high serum concentration of IgG, and during this phase, there is a rapid clinical response to glucocorticoid steroid treatment. CONCLUSION We believe that hyper-IgG4 disease is an important condition to recognise, as the diagnosis can be readily verified and the outcome with treatment is very good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy H Neild
- UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK
- Institute of Urology and Nephrology, Middlesex Hospital, London W1T 3AA, UK
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Justo
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College Hospital, Rockefeller Building, London WC1E 6JJ, UK
| | - Catherine Wall
- UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK
| | - John O Connolly
- UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK
- Institute of Urology and Nephrology, Middlesex Hospital, London W1T 3AA, UK
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59
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Kleeff J, Welsch T, Esposito I, Löhr M, Singer R, Büchler MW, Friess H. [Autoimmune pancreatitis--a surgical disease?]. Chirurg 2006; 77:154-65. [PMID: 16208510 DOI: 10.1007/s00104-005-1084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The term autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) describes a nonalcoholic, chronic lymphoplasmocytic pancreatitis. The lymphoplasmocytic infiltration is characterized by periductal localization of predominantly CD4-positive T cells, fibrosis, and acinar atrophy, frequently resulting in stenosis of the main pancreatic and distal common bile ducts. Imaging studies often reveal a diffuse narrowing of the pancreatic main duct and swelling of the pancreatic head wrongly suggesting the presence of a malignant tumor. Clinical signs include mild abdominal pain, jaundice, recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis, and even new-onset diabetes mellitus. Additionally, AIP can be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, and retroperitoneal fibrosis. Serological markers include autoantibodies and increased levels of gamma globulin and especially IgG4. Steroids seem to be effective in improving clinical symptoms as well as in the resolution of pancreatic and bile duct narrowing. This distinguishes AIP from other forms of pancreatitis and from pancreatic neoplasms. Further studies of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, prognosis, and new diagnostic tools are needed to provide adequate and effective treatment in the future. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge about AIP and present 17 cases that underwent surgical resection at our institution from 2003 to 2004.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Autoantibodies/blood
- Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis
- Autoimmune Diseases/immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases/pathology
- Autoimmune Diseases/surgery
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cholestasis, Extrahepatic/diagnosis
- Cholestasis, Extrahepatic/immunology
- Cholestasis, Extrahepatic/pathology
- Cholestasis, Extrahepatic/surgery
- Common Bile Duct Diseases/immunology
- Common Bile Duct Diseases/pathology
- Common Bile Duct Diseases/surgery
- Constriction, Pathologic/diagnosis
- Constriction, Pathologic/immunology
- Constriction, Pathologic/pathology
- Constriction, Pathologic/surgery
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pancreatectomy
- Pancreatic Ducts/immunology
- Pancreatic Ducts/pathology
- Pancreatitis, Chronic/diagnosis
- Pancreatitis, Chronic/immunology
- Pancreatitis, Chronic/pathology
- Pancreatitis, Chronic/surgery
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kleeff
- Abteilung für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Unfallchirurgie, Chirurgische Klinik, Universität Heidelberg
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Abstract
Although the pathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis is unclear, recent evidence of clinical aspects are presented: (i) mild abdominal symptoms, usually without acute attacks of pancreatitis; (ii) occasional existence of obstructive jaundice; (iii) increased levels of serum gammaglobulin, IgG or IgG4; (iv) presence of autoantibodies; (v) diffuse enlargement of the pancreas; (vi) irregularly narrowing of the pancreatic duct (sclerosing pancreatitis) with often intra-pancreatic biliary stenosis or coexistence of biliary lesions (sclerosing cholangitis similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis: PSC) on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic (ERCP) images; (vii) fibrotic changes with lymphocyte and IgG4-positive plasmacyte infiltration, and obliterative thrombo-phlebitis; (viii) occasional association with other systemic lesions such as sialoadenitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, interstitial renal tubular disorders, and (ix) effective steroid therapy. In addition to pancreatic and extra-pancreatic lesions, diabetes mellitus is occasionally responsive to steroid therapy. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuichi Okazaki
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
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62
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Ohara H, Nakazawa T, Sano H, Ando T, Okamoto T, Takada H, Hayashi K, Kitajima Y, Nakao H, Joh T. Systemic extrapancreatic lesions associated with autoimmune pancreatitis. Pancreas 2005; 31:232-7. [PMID: 16163054 DOI: 10.1097/01.mpa.0000175178.85786.1d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is often associated with systemic extrapancreatic lesions. We studied 31 cases of AIP to clarify the diversity of associated systemic extrapancreatic lesions and the differences between AIP with and without systemic extrapancreatic lesions. METHODS The clinical features and courses were compared by age, sex, and blood chemistry between those with and without systemic extrapancreatic lesions. In addition, we reviewed the available literature on systemic extrapancreatic lesions with AIP. RESULTS Seven of the 31 cases of AIP had associated systemic extrapancreatic lesions, which were diagnosed simultaneously with AIP; however, 1 case presenting with various extrapancreatic lesions was diagnosed independently of the AIP lesion. Patients with systemic extrapancreatic lesions needed maintenance steroid therapy for AIP in 4 cases and systemic extrapancreatic lesions in 2 cases; the ratio of cases requiring maintenance steroid therapy was significantly higher among those with systemic extrapancreatic lesions (6/8) than those without (7/23). There were no significant differences between groups with regard to age, sex, extent of narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, and enlargement of the pancreas. gamma-globulin, IgG, and IgG4 levels were significantly higher in patients with AIP with systemic extrapancreatic lesions than those without. The systemic extrapancreatic lesions associated with AIP found in the literature were Sjögren syndrome, ulcerative colitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, sialadenitis, thyroiditis, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that, when encountering a case of AIP with elevated levels of gamma-globulins, IgG, and IgG4, an effort should be made to detect other systemic extrapancreatic abnormalities and initiate steroid administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Ohara
- Department of Internal Medicine and Bioregulation, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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63
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Aoki S, Nakazawa T, Ohara H, Sano H, Nakao H, Joh T, Murase T, Eimoto T, Itoh M. Immunohistochemical study of autoimmune pancreatitis using anti-IgG4 antibody and patients' sera. Histopathology 2005; 47:147-58. [PMID: 16045775 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2005.02204.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), characterized by raised serum IgG4 levels, is frequently complicated by disorders of extrapancreatic organs. The aim of the present study was to examine immunohistochemically which extrapancreatic organs are affected, and whether an autoantibody to such organs is present in the serum of AIP patients. METHODS Various tissues/organs obtained from AIP patients were studied immunohistochemically with an anti-IgG4 antibody. To examine the presence of an autoantibody in the serum of AIP patients, sera were incubated with various normal organs/tissues extracted for other diseases, followed by detection with an anti-IgG4 antibody. Sera were also examined before and after glucocorticoid therapy. RESULTS Marked infiltration of IgG4+ plasma cells was observed in the pancreas, liver, bile duct and salivary gland of many of the AIP patients examined. The normal epithelia of the pancreatic ducts, bile ducts, gallbladder and salivary gland ducts reacting with the patients' sera were detectable by the anti-IgG4 antibody. Following glucocorticoid therapy the IgG4 antibody from the patients' sera showed decreased reactivity with these tissues. CONCLUSIONS AIP may also affect extrapancreatic organs, the serum of AIP patients may contain an IgG4 autoantibody to various organs and glucocorticoid therapy may improve such disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Aoki
- Department of Internal Medicine and Bioregulation, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan.
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64
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Kountouras J, Zavos C, Chatzopoulos D. A concept on the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in autoimmune pancreatitis. J Cell Mol Med 2005. [PMID: 15784177 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2005.tb00349x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune pancreatitis, an inflammatory process of the pancreas due to an autoimmune mechanism establishing etiology of chronic pancreatitis, is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, pancreatic enlargement, pancreatic duct strictures, and pathologic features of fibrotic changes with intense, mainly lymphocytic infiltrations, which may contribute to tissue destruction probably by apoptosis. In almost 60% of the cases, this type of pancreatitis coexists with other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, sclerosing extrahepatic cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, or other extrapancreatic disorders, and recently with gastric peptic ulceration. The diversity of extrapancreatic lesions with similar histopathologic findings suggests general involvement of the digestive system in this disease, although the presence of such involvement has not been fully elucidated. Similarly, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a well known cause of gastric ulcer, has been associated, via molecular mimicry of host structures by its constituents with the same autoimmune conditions, also characterized by fibrotic changes and/or lymphoplasmacytic inflammations, accompanied by aberrations of T cell apoptosis that contribute to hepatobiliary- or extrahepatic-tissue destruction. Considering that H. pylori is involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these autoimmune disorders, we propose that this organism might trigger autoimmune pancreatitis through induction of autoimmunity and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kountouras
- Department of Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, Byzantio 55133, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
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65
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Kountouras J, Zavos C, Chatzopoulos D. A concept on the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in autoimmune pancreatitis. J Cell Mol Med 2005. [PMID: 15784177 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune pancreatitis, an inflammatory process of the pancreas due to an autoimmune mechanism establishing etiology of chronic pancreatitis, is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, pancreatic enlargement, pancreatic duct strictures, and pathologic features of fibrotic changes with intense, mainly lymphocytic infiltrations, which may contribute to tissue destruction probably by apoptosis. In almost 60% of the cases, this type of pancreatitis coexists with other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, sclerosing extrahepatic cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, or other extrapancreatic disorders, and recently with gastric peptic ulceration. The diversity of extrapancreatic lesions with similar histopathologic findings suggests general involvement of the digestive system in this disease, although the presence of such involvement has not been fully elucidated. Similarly, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a well known cause of gastric ulcer, has been associated, via molecular mimicry of host structures by its constituents with the same autoimmune conditions, also characterized by fibrotic changes and/or lymphoplasmacytic inflammations, accompanied by aberrations of T cell apoptosis that contribute to hepatobiliary- or extrahepatic-tissue destruction. Considering that H. pylori is involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these autoimmune disorders, we propose that this organism might trigger autoimmune pancreatitis through induction of autoimmunity and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kountouras
- Department of Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, Byzantio 55133, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
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66
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Kountouras J, Zavos C, Chatzopoulos D. A concept on the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in autoimmune pancreatitis. J Cell Mol Med 2005; 9:196-207. [PMID: 15784177 PMCID: PMC6741421 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2005.tb00349.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune pancreatitis, an inflammatory process of the pancreas due to an autoimmune mechanism establishing etiology of chronic pancreatitis, is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, pancreatic enlargement, pancreatic duct strictures, and pathologic features of fibrotic changes with intense, mainly lymphocytic infiltrations, which may contribute to tissue destruction probably by apoptosis. In almost 60% of the cases, this type of pancreatitis coexists with other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, sclerosing extrahepatic cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, or other extrapancreatic disorders, and recently with gastric peptic ulceration. The diversity of extrapancreatic lesions with similar histopathologic findings suggests general involvement of the digestive system in this disease, although the presence of such involvement has not been fully elucidated. Similarly, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a well known cause of gastric ulcer, has been associated, via molecular mimicry of host structures by its constituents with the same autoimmune conditions, also characterized by fibrotic changes and/or lymphoplasmacytic inflammations, accompanied by aberrations of T cell apoptosis that contribute to hepatobiliary- or extrahepatic-tissue destruction. Considering that H. pylori is involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these autoimmune disorders, we propose that this organism might trigger autoimmune pancreatitis through induction of autoimmunity and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kountouras
- Department of Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, Byzantio 55133, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
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67
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Kountouras J, Zavos C, Chatzopoulos D. Autoimmune pancreatitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and apoptosis: a proposed relationship. Pancreas 2005; 30:192-3. [PMID: 15714146 DOI: 10.1097/01.mpa.0000151576.91790.f8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
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68
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Hirano K, Komatsu Y, Yamamoto N, Nakai Y, Sasahira N, Toda N, Isayama H, Tada M, Kawabe T, Omata M. Pancreatic mass lesions associated with raised concentration of IgG4. Am J Gastroenterol 2004; 99:2038-40. [PMID: 15447769 DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2004.40215.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a recognized benign disease characterized by irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct, swelling of parenchyma, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and fibrosis, and a favorable response to corticosteroid treatment. In this condition, the whole pancreas is diffusely affected. Recently, however, a few cases with locally affected lesions were reported, with some of them showing features similar to cancer. We reviewed 138 patients with pancreatic mass lesion, of which 17 were not initially diagnosed despite examinations. Serum IgG4 levels were elevated in seven of them. Their biopsy specimens had a similar appearance to those of AIP. We considered that they should be diagnosed as AIP or conditions related to AIP. Among the 10 patients without elevated IgG4, 4 patients were diagnosed as pancreatic cancer after follow-up, 1 presented with an islet cell tumor, 1 presented AIP with sclerosing cholangitis, and the other 4 had chronic pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hirano
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Tokyo, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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