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Cunha-Silva M, de França EVC, Greca RD, Mazo DFDC, da Costa LBE, de Moraes PBS, Veiga CT, Assis-Mendonça GR, Boin IDFSF, Stucchi RSB, Sevá-Pereira T. Autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome after COVID-19. Autops Case Rep 2023; 13:e2023422. [PMID: 37034275 PMCID: PMC10075219 DOI: 10.4322/acr.2023.422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is commonly associated with high serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the post-infection status can disturb self-tolerance and trigger autoimmune responses. We are reporting a 45-year-old male who was admitted with fatigue, jaundice, elevated liver enzymes (with cholestatic pattern), and acute kidney injury two weeks after recovering from a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serologies for viral hepatitis and anti-mitochondrial antibody were negative, while anti-nuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies were positive. There were no signs of chronic liver disease, and a magnetic resonance cholangiography showed no dilatation of biliary ducts. Histologic evaluation of the liver evidenced numerous foci of lobular necrosis without ductopenia or portal biliary reaction. Considering the autoantibody profile and histologic changes, the medical team started oral prednisone, but there was a suboptimal biochemical response in the outpatient follow-up. Two months later, a second liver biopsy was performed and revealed non-suppurative destructive chronic cholangitis, extensive areas of confluent necrosis with hepatocytes regenerating into pseudorosettes, and numerous plasma cells. According to the Paris Criteria, the patient was then diagnosed with an autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome (AIH-PBC-OS). After adding azathioprine and ursodeoxycholic acid to the treatment, there was a satisfactory response. This is the second worldwide report of an AIH-PBC-OS triggered by COVID-19, but the first case with a negative anti-mitochondrial antibody. In this setting, histologic evaluation of the liver by an experienced pathologist is a hallmark of achieving the diagnosis and correctly treat the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlone Cunha-Silva
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Eloy Vianey Carvalho de França
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Raquel Dias Greca
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Daniel Ferraz de Campos Mazo
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Larissa Bastos Eloy da Costa
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Priscilla Brito Sena de Moraes
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Clauber Teles Veiga
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - Raquel Silveira Bello Stucchi
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Tiago Sevá-Pereira
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Medical Sciences, Centro de Diagnóstico de Doenças do Aparelho Digestivo (GASTROCENTRO), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Campinas, SP, Brasil
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Nardelli MJ, Cançado GGL, Naves GNT, Vidigal PVT, Couto CA. Autoimmune hepatitis presenting with peripheral eosinophilia: Case report and literature review. Transpl Immunol 2022; 74:101671. [PMID: 35842079 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2022.101671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acute hepatitis presenting with blood eosinophilia are scarcely reported. Different clinical courses of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have been associated with acute hepatitis with eosinophilia, however it is still unclear if the latter is a common manifestation of different autoimmune diseases, part of a similar spectrum of eosinophil-associated liver injury or even a trigger to AIH. We report a case of a 32 years old woman who presented with subacute hepatitis, peripheral eosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia and liver biopsy suggestive of AIH. The role of eosinophils in autoimmune liver diseases deserves further studies in order to clarify its physiopathology aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guilherme Grossi Lopes Cançado
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Nino Taroni Naves
- Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Paula Vieira Teixeira Vidigal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Claudia Alves Couto
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Bittencourt PL. THE EVOLVING FIELD OF HEPATOLOGY IN BRAZIL. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2022; 59:325-326. [PMID: 36102426 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-2803.202203000-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
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Clinical Features and Outcomes of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in the Highly Admixed Brazilian Population. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 2021:7746401. [PMID: 34805028 PMCID: PMC8604588 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7746401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with a broad phenotypic spectrum in different populations from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PSC in a multicenter cohort of patients from Brazil. METHODS Data from the Brazilian Cholestasis Study Group were retrospectively reviewed to assess demographic information and clinical characteristics of PSC, as well as the outcomes, such as transplantation-free survival. RESULTS This cohort included 210 patients. After excluding 33 (15.7%) patients with PSC and overlap syndrome of autoimmune hepatitis, 177 (97 males, median age 33 (21-42) years) with clear-cut PSC were eligible for this study. Most of the patients (n = 139, 78.5%) were symptomatic, and 104 (58.7%) had advanced PSC at the time of diagnosis. Concurrent inflammatory bowel disease was observed in 78 (58.6%) of the investigated patients (n = 133), and most of them had ulcerative colitis (n = 61, 78.2%). The 1- and 5-year survival free of liver transplantation or death were 92.3 ± 2.1% and 66.9 ± 4.2%, respectively, and baseline advanced PSC, pruritus, and elevated bilirubin levels were independent risk factors for the composite adverse outcome. Females were significantly older and had lower bilirubin levels than males at baseline, but survival was not associated with sex. Approximately 12.4% (n = 22) of patients with PSC died, and 32.8% (n = 58) underwent liver transplantation at a median follow-up time of 5.3 and 3.2 years. CONCLUSION Multiethnic Brazilian PSC patients exhibited a less pronounced male predominance and a lower frequency of inflammatory bowel disease than Caucasians. Adverse outcomes were more frequent, probably due to advanced disease at baseline.
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Alvarenga LR, Sandy NS, Gomez GS, Hessel G, DE Tommaso AMA, Bellomo-Brandão MÂ. SYMPTOMATIC CHOLELITHIASIS AS THE PRESENTATION OF PEDIATRIC PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS - CASE SERIES AND LITERATURE REVIEW. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2021; 58:227-233. [PMID: 34287532 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-2803.202100000-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare hepatobiliary disorder, whose etiology remains not fully elucidated. Given how rare PSC is in childhood, until the recent publication of a multicenter international collaboration, even data on its characteristics and natural history were scarce. Symptomatic cholelithiasis has not been previously reported as the presentation of PSC. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was the diagnosis of PSC following the initial unusual presentation with symptomatic cholelithiasis, that followed an atypical clinical course that could not be explained by cholelithiasis alone. A literature review was also conducted. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of three patients, who were diagnosed and/or followed at the Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas - Sao Paulo/ Brazil, between 2014 and 2020. Data analyzed included gender, age of presentation, past medical history, imaging findings, laboratory results, endoscopic evaluation, response to medical therapy and follow-up. RESULTS Age at time of presentation with cholelithiasis varied from 10 to 12 years. In two of the cases reported, a more subacute onset of symptoms preceded the episode of cholelithiasis. Two patients were managed with cholecystectomy, not followed by any surgical complications, one patient was managed conservatively. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed in all three cases, showing histological findings compatible with PSC. Associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was not seen in any of the patients. The patients have been followed for a mean time of 3.4 years. CONCLUSION PSC and cholelithiasis are both rare in the pediatric population. This study reports on symptomatic cholelithiasis as a presentation of PSC and raises the importance of suspecting an underlying hepatobiliary disorder in children with cholelithiasis without any known predisposing factors and/or that follow an atypical clinical course for cholelithiasis alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Rocha Alvarenga
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Pediatria, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Natascha Silva Sandy
- University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gabriela Souza Gomez
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Pediatria, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Gabriel Hessel
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Pediatria, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Adriana Maria Alves DE Tommaso
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Pediatria, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Maria Ângela Bellomo-Brandão
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Pediatria, Campinas, SP, Brasil
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Chen Z, Liu S, He C, Sun J, Wang L, Chen H, Zhang F. CXCL12-CXCR4-Mediated Chemotaxis Supports Accumulation of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells Into the Liver of Patients With PBC. Front Immunol 2021; 12:578548. [PMID: 33815355 PMCID: PMC8017208 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.578548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the potential role of CD3+CD8+CD161high TCRVα7.2+ mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Methods: We enrolled 55 patients with PBC, 69 healthy controls (HCs), and 8 patients with hepatic hemangioma. Circulating MAIT cells and their chemokine receptor profiles and cytokine production were quantified using flow cytometry. Liver-resident MAIT cells were examined by immunofluorescence staining. CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis of MAIT cells was measured using a transwell migration assay. Plasma interleukin (IL)-18 was measured using ELISA, and cytokine production in IL-18-stimulated MAIT cells was detected using flow cytometry. Result: Peripheral MAIT cells were found to be significantly lower in patients with PBC (3.0 ± 3.2% vs. 9.4 ± 8.0%, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (r = −0.3209, p < 0.05). Liver immunofluorescence staining suggested that MAIT cells might accumulate in PBC liver. MAIT cells from patients with PBC expressed higher levels of CXCR4 (84.8 ± 18.0% vs. 58.7 ± 11.4%, p < 0.01), and the expression of CXCL12 was higher in PBC liver. CXCL12 promoted MAIT cell chemotaxis (70.4 ± 6.8% vs. 52.2 ± 3.5%, p < 0.01), which was attenuated by CXCR4 antagonist. MAIT cells from PBC produced significantly more interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (88.3 ± 4.2% vs. 64.2 ± 10.1%, p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (93.0 ± 1.1% vs. 80.1 ± 5.3%, p < 0.01), Granzyme B (89.3 ± 3.3% vs. 72.1 ± 7.0%, p < 0.01), and perforin (46.8 ± 6.6% vs. 34.8 ± 7.7%, p < 0.05). MAIT cells from PBC expressed higher levels of IL18-Rα (83.8 ± 10.2% vs. 58.3 ± 8.7%, p < 0.01). Plasma IL-18 was more abundant in patients with PBC (286.8 ± 75.7 pg/ml vs. 132.9 ± 78.1 pg/ml, p < 0.01). IL-18 promoted IFN-γ production in MAIT cells (74.9 ± 6.6% vs. 54.7 ± 6.7%, p < 0.01), which was partially attenuated by blocking IL-18R (68.6 ± 8.3% vs. 43.5 ± 4.2%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Mucosal-associated invariant T cells from patients with PBC accumulated in the liver via CXCL12-CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis, produced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and contributed to portal inflammation, which was potentially mediated by elevated IL-18. Targeting MAIT cells might be a therapeutic approach for PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilei Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Suying Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Chengmei He
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlei Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Fengchun Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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Gomes NBN, Torres US, Ferraz MLCG, D'Ippolito G. Autoimmune hepatitis in practice, from diagnosis to complications: What is the role of imaging? A clinicoradiological review. Clin Imaging 2021; 74:31-40. [PMID: 33429144 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease of unknown origin that can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplantation or death. The diagnosis is performed upon a multifactorial score. Treatment is based on the combination of immunosuppressants and aims at clinical, laboratory and histological remission, the latter being the most difficult to be achieved and proven. The absence of liver inflammation, defined by biopsy, is the main determinant in remission or therapeutic modification. Imaging exams have a limited role in this clinical management and the main findings are those related to chronic liver disease. Imaging's relevance, therefore, lies mainly in helping to exclude overlapping syndromes and in assessing complications related to cirrhosis, such as in screening for HCC. In recent years, however, the radiological literature has been witnessing increasing advances with regard to imaging biomarkers in liver disease, leading some authors to consider a future of virtual liver biopsy performed by magnetic resonance imaging. The present study aims to review the role of imaging in the management of AIH in the light of recent advances in the current literature and to provide an illustrated guide with the main findings described in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Borges Nunes Gomes
- Fleury Group, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ulysses S Torres
- Fleury Group, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Giuseppe D'Ippolito
- Fleury Group, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Italian Clinical Practice Guidelines on Cholangiocarcinoma - Part I: Classification, diagnosis and staging. Dig Liver Dis 2020; 52:1282-1293. [PMID: 32893173 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2020.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer, characterized by a poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapeutics. The progressive increase in CCA incidence and mortality registered worldwide in the last two decades and the need to clarify various aspects of clinical management have prompted the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) to commission the drafting of dedicated guidelines in collaboration with a group of Italian scientific societies. These guidelines have been formulated in accordance with the Italian National Institute of Health indications and developed by following the GRADE method and related advancements.
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