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Soldera J. Immunological crossroads: The intriguing dance between hepatitis C and autoimmune hepatitis. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:867-870. [PMID: 38948443 PMCID: PMC11212656 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i6.867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Delving into the immunological crossroads of liver diseases, this editorial explores the dynamic interplay between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). While HCV primarily manifests as a viral infection impacting the liver, previous studies unveil a captivating connection between HCV and the emergence of AIH. The dance of the immune system in response to HCV appears to set the stage for an intriguing phenomenon-an aberrant autoimmune response leading to the onset of AIH. Evidence suggests a heightened presence of autoimmune markers in individuals with chronic HCV infection, hinting at a potential overlap between viral and autoimmune liver diseases. Navigating the intricate terrain of viral replication, immune response dynamics, and genetic predisposition, this editorial adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of the relationship between HCV and AIH. In this immunological crossroads, we aim to unearth insights into the complex interplay, using a compelling case where AIH and primary sclerosing cholangitis overlapped following HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals as background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Soldera
- Department of Acute Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of South Wales, Cardiff CF37 1DL, United Kingdom.
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Cacciato V, Casagrande E, Bodini G, Furnari M, Marabotto E, Grillo F, Giannini EG. Eradication of hepatitis C virus infection disclosing a previously hidden, underlying autoimmune hepatitis: Autoimmune hepatitis and HCV. Ann Hepatol 2021; 19:222-225. [PMID: 32029393 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and autoimmune disorders show a complex interplay, with HCV often being identified as the trigger of autoimmune phenomena or diseases. While there is evidence of successful HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in patients with concomitant HCV and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), there are also sparse reports of AIH developing during, or following, DAA treatment. Here we report a case of a patient with suspected concomitant HCV and AIH who underwent liver biopsy but showed no histological hallmarks of autoimmunity. The patient later developed a hepatitic flare following DAA-induced viral clearance, and a second liver biopsy showed features compatible with AIH. Response to corticosteroid and azathioprine treatment was seen. This reports demonstrates that patients with features of auto-reactivity and HCV after DAA-induced viral clearance require careful follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cacciato
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Edoardo Casagrande
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giorgia Bodini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Manuele Furnari
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Marabotto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Edoardo G Giannini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Choi C, Botros Y, Shah J, Xue P, Jones A, Galan M, Olivo R, Niazi M, Paterno F, Guarrera J, Pyrsopoulos NT. A Case Report of Alloimmune Hepatitis after Direct-acting Antiviral Treatment in a Liver Transplant Patient. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2020; 8:459-462. [PMID: 33447530 PMCID: PMC7782114 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2020.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is often well-tolerated, and adverse events from DAA therapy are uncommon. We report a case of a woman who underwent orthotopic liver transplant for chronic hepatitis C infection and later developed alloimmune hepatitis shortly after starting DAA therapy for recurrent hepatitis C infection. The patient developed acute alloimmune hepatitis approximately 2 weeks after starting treatment with sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir. This case report proposes a dysregulation of immune surveillance due to the DAA stimulation of host immunity and rapid elimination of hepatitis C viral load as a precipitating factor for the alloimmune process, leading to alloimmune hepatitis in a post-transplant patient who starts on DAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Youssef Botros
- Division of Gastroenterology, St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ, USA
| | - Jamil Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Pei Xue
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Anja Jones
- Department of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Mark Galan
- Department of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Raquel Olivo
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Mumtaz Niazi
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Flavio Paterno
- Division of Liver Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - James Guarrera
- Division of Liver Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Nikolaos T. Pyrsopoulos
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
- Correspondence to: Nikolaos T. Pyrsopoulos, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Medical Science Building, Room I-506, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. Tel: +1-973-972-5252, E-mail:
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