title: Late autoimmune hepatitis after hepatitis C therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  De-novo or reactivated autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been reported during or a short time after administration of interferon (IFN) in patients treated for hepatitis C (HCV). Reports on AIH during long-term follow-up after IFN treatment are scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients diagnosed with both HCV and AIH were identified in clinical databases of four gastroenterology departments. The medical records of patients diagnosed with AIH after IFN therapy were retrospectively assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients (four female, one male) with a mean age of 50 years (range: 34-59) were identified. AIH developed at a mean duration of 4.8 years (range: 1-10) after HCV therapy. Three of five patients had a sustained viral response to antiviral therapy, whereas two were nonresponders. All patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapy after being diagnosed with AIH. Biochemical remission was achieved in four patients; however, one patient had an aggressive course and died despite immunosuppressive therapy. We could not identify any risk factors associated with the development of AIH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AIH may develop in patients treated with IFN, not only during or after a short time from therapy but also after a long time from discontinuation of therapy.
authors: aDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University bDepartment of Gastroenterology, Numune Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey cDepartment of Hepato-Gastroenterology, CHU Reims, Reims, France dDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Cumali
authors: C
authors: Efe
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Heurgué-Berlot
authors: Ersan
authors: E
authors: Ozaslan
authors: Tugrul
authors: T
authors: Purnak
authors: Gérard
authors: G
authors: Thiéfin
authors: Halis
authors: H
authors: Simsek
authors: Staffan
authors: S
authors: Wahlin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons