Association of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis-autoimmune Hepatitis Overlap Syndrome with Immune Thrombocytopenia and Graves' Disease

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura in primary biliary cholangitis and localized cutaneous systemic sclerosis: case report and literature review

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic progressive cholestatic liver disease of uncertain etiology. Although PBC is frequently complicated by Sjögren's syndrome and chronic thyroiditis, it can also be associated with a variety of other autoimmune disorders. We herein describe a rare case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) coexistence with PBC and localized cutaneous systemic sclerosis (LcSSc). A 47-year-old woman with PBC and LcSSc who was positive for antiphospholipid antibody experienced a rapid decrease in platelet count to 1.8 × 10⁴/µL during follow-up. After clinical findings ruled out thrombocytopenia from cirrhosis, a diagnosis of ITP was made following bone marrow examination. Her human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type was HLA-DPB1*05:01, which has been associated with disease susceptibility to PBC and LcSSc, but not to ITP. A careful review of similar reports suggested that in PBC, other collagen disease complications, positive antinuclear antibody, and positive antiphospholipid antibody may all support a diagnosis of ITP. Clinicians should be vigilant for ITP when rapid thrombocytopenia is observed during the course of PBC.

Over 3-Years Follow-Up of a Case of Primary Biliary Cholangitis With Autoimmune Hyperthyroidism: Factors Associated With Liver Dysfunction

We present a rare case of a 50-year-old woman with simultaneous primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hyperthyroidism in which the factors associated with liver dysfunction were evaluated over a 3-year follow-up period. Although serum thyroid hormone levels improved after the administration of thiamazole, thyroid dysfunction was not directly associated with liver dysfunction. During the follow-up period, anti-hyperlipidemic drug therapy and eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection caused transient elevation of serum transaminase levels. It should be recognized that serum liver enzyme levels might be affected by various factors, including the therapies for the many complications of PBC.

Primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a case report

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)–autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome is frequently associated with extrahepatic autoimmune disorders. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired disease that is characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis due to erythrocyte membrane defects. However, autoimmune liver disease was not previously reported to be associated with PNH. A 37-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital with elevated liver enzymes and hematuria. On the basis of the symptoms and results of laboratory tests, radiographic studies, and pathologic results, she was diagnosed with PBC–AIH overlap syndrome and PNH. She was treated with a combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and prednisolone. The patient was symptom-free, with laboratory findings within near-normal range. The patient had recovered well at the 24-month follow-up evaluation. While we acknowledge that this was a single case, these findings expand our knowledge of immunological diseases that are associated with PNH and suggest an immune-mediated pathogenic pathway between PNH and PBC–AIH overlap syndrome. The combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and prednisolone can achieve therapeutic success. Routine follow-up of these patients is necessary to document disease progression.

Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Objective It has been reported that anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) recognize mitochondrial antigens and are associated with some diseases involving multiple organs, such as primary biliary cholangitis, Sjögren syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, systemic sclerosis, interstitial pneumoniae, dilated cardiomyopathy, and tubulointerstitial nephritis. In the current study, we examined the prevalence of AMAs in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and their clinical characteristics. Methods We enrolled 270 patients with DCM. We measured serum AMAs and analyzed the associated factors. Out of the 270 patients, positive AMAs were detected in 3 patients (1.1%; mean age, 68 years old; 2 men). These three patients had a significantly higher prevalence of primary biliary cholangitis and myopathy and levels of alanine alkaline phosphatase than those who were negative for said antibodies. There were no significant differences in the levels of B-type natriuretic peptide, aspartate transaminase, and left ventricular ejection fraction between these groups of patients. During the follow-up period, two of the three patients died due to respiratory failure. The other patient survived but experienced type II respiratory failure. Conclusion The prevalence of AMAs in 270 DCM patients was only 1.1%, and these patients suffered from respiratory failure.

Relationship between autoimmune liver disease and autoimmune thyroid disease: a cross-sectional study

Background: A high prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) has been observed in patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD); however, data on the clinical relationship between AILD and AITD remain scant. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between AILD and AITD.Methods: We performed a retrospective study using medical records from 324 patients with AILD, 113 of whom had concurrent AITD.Results: Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) were more likely to develop AITD (45.8%), followed by autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome (AIH-PBC OS) (39.5%) and PBC (22.6%). Patients with concurrent AILD and AITD showed higher levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (21.5 g/L vs 16.3 g/L, p < .0001) and gamma globulin (γ-globulin) (27.1% vs 21.9%, p < .0001). IgG was positively correlated with thyroid antibodies [thymoglobulin antibody (TGAb) and thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb)] (r = 0.396, 0.322; p < .0001, p = .002, respectively). TPOAb positivity was highest in PBC patients with concurrent AITD (83.9%). Patients with concurrent PBC and AITD were significantly older than those with PBC alone (p = .0004). Patients with concurrent AIH and AITD had a higher homogenous nuclear pattern of antinuclear antibody positivity compared to those with AIH alone (p = .019). Thyroid dysfunction in AILD patients with concurrent AITD was principally characterized by Hashimoto's thyroiditis (65.5%), and diffuse lesions were mainly found by thyroid ultrasound (53.1%).Conclusions: The high incidence of AILD concomitant with AITD, the higher levels of serum IgG and γ-globulin, and the strong correlation between thyroid antibodies and IgG suggest that close screening for AITD and accurate physical examinations should be performed for all patients with AILD.

Challenges in early identification of causes and treatment of cholestasis in patients with hyperthyroidism: a case report and literature review

Early identification of the causes of cholestasis is important for appropriate management of patients with hyperthyroidism. We report a patient who had hyperthyroidism and severe cholestasis after methimazole (MMI) treatment. The patient was diagnosed as having MMI-induced cholestatic hepatitis. Treatment with MMI was stopped at admission to hospital. However, his serum total bilirubin (TBil) level rose from 410.5 µmol/L to 519.9 µmol/L and prothrombin time activity (PTA) dropped from 81.0% to 52.2% in 10 days. To prevent further deterioration of his liver function, plasma exchange was performed three times, and dexamethasone (10 mg, intravenously) was used each time. His PTA rose to 101% and his TBil continued to increase to 669.8 µmol/L after plasma exchange. He was subsequently diagnosed as having thyrotoxicosis-induced cholestasis and treated with radioactive iodine (380 MBq) 2 weeks after admission. His hyperthyroidism was significantly relieved, but the TBil level further increased to 776.8 µmol/L. Three weeks after admission, oral prednisone (30 mg/day) was used in this patient. Subsequently, his TBil levels gradually decreased and his liver function almost normalized within 3 months. We discuss the literature on cholestasis in the context of hyperthyroidism.

Autoimmune Hepatitis with Concomitant Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Diagnosed by Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may sometimes have concomitant idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Severe thrombocytopenia in ITP interferes with percutaneous liver biopsy for pathological diagnosis of AIH. Here, we report a case of AIH with ITP in a 63-year-old woman. The patient presented to our hospital with liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia. For histological examination, transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) was performed, leading to a diagnosis of AIH. Corticosteroids treatment led to an improvement in her liver enzyme levels and platelet count. In conclusion, patients with AIH may sometimes have concomitant ITP. TJLB was effective for making the diagnosis of AIH with severe thrombocytopenia due to ITP.