title: Cyclosporin in the treatment of corticosteroid resistant autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.
abstract: A 17 year old Asian patient with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis resistant to treatment with high dose corticosteroids and azathioprine was given cyclosporin at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day. Within two weeks of starting the cyclosporin treatment a favourable clinical and biochemical response was obtained and by one month serum aminotransferase activities were within normal limits. An attempted reduction in the daily dose of cyclosporin resulted in a relapse of the patient's disease. Remission was again attained by returning the dose of cyclosporin to 5 mg/kg/day. No significant side effects of the treatment have been shown. Cyclosporin seems to have a role in the treatment of corticosteroid resistant autoimmune chronic active hepatitis and its further evaluation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001379:Azathioprine; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine