[Chronic hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome: report of two cases].
The coexistence of non-organ specific autoantibodies and chronic hepatitis C features raises the dilemma as to whether the pathogenesis is viral or autoimmune and consequently to be treated with interferon or corticosteroids. Two cases with autoimmune characteristics and chronic hepatitis C are reported. We discuss the possibility of classifying this overlap form in three distinct entities: viral disease with an autoimmune epiphenomenon ("false hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome"), viral disease associated to an autoimmune pathogenic component ("true hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome") and false serological anti-HCV positivity in classical autoimmune hepatitis. In our experience the interferon/corticosteroid association was successful.
Vella
Francesco Saverio
FS
Sezione di Medicina Interna, Dipartimento di Clinica Medica, Immunologia e Malattie Infettive, Università, Bari. diceglie@intmed.uniba.it
Simone
Barbara
B
Orlando
Pierluigi
P
Simone
Olivia
O
Antonaci
Salvatore
S
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons; D011241:Prednisone