Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis Triggered by Hepatitis A Virus: A Case Report
Ghita Hachim *
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Abdelhakim Ourrai
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Abdelilah Radi
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Najat Lamalmi
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Rachid Abilkassem
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Rihane El Mohtarim
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Amal Hassani
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
Aomar Agadr
Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed V Military Instruction Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) pathogenesis is still unknown. However, among patients who have a genetic susceptibility, some viral infections appear to be triggers for AIH.
We report a case of a child who developed type 2 autoimmune hepatitis as a result of HEPATITIS A Virus (HAV) infection.
An 8-year-old female who was diagnosed with hepatitis A three years ago and was cured after three months. She developed jaundice and epistaxis a few years later.
Complementary tests revealed polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, antinuclear and anti-LC1 antibodies, and hepatocyte necrotico-inflammatory lesions in a liver biopsy. The diagnosis of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis was kept.
A remission was obtained under corticosteroid and azathioprine treatment.
In cases of persistent HAV infection, AIH should be investigated so that therapy can start earlier. To prevent more serious complications, AIH patients should also receive the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and HAV vaccines.
Keywords: Autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis A, antibodies