Antimitochondrial antibodies and non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as hepatobiliary disease

Multiple autoimmune propensity and B-non-hodgkin lymphoma: cause or effect?

We report a case of multiple autoimmunity consisting of the presence of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs), and antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAbs) as the presenting manifestations of an extrahepatic B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) in a 63-year-old woman. The patient presented with fatigue attributed to severe AIHA. Due to increased serum IgM and γ-GT levels, an investigation for AMA was performed, which proved positive with anti-M2 specificity. A prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) led to the determination of APLAbs (lupus anticoagulant and other APLAbs) which were also positive. Bone marrow biopsy in combination with immmunohistochemical studies established the diagnosis of lymphoplasmacytic B-NHL. Ten months later, B-NHL was in remission while AMA and APLAbs were still positive. In conclusion, we documented the coexistence of multiple autoimmune reactions together with B-NHL highlighting the possible common pathogenetic pathways of the two entities.