title: Does glatiramer acetate provoke hepatitis in multiple sclerosis?
abstract: An association between multiple sclerosis and autoimmune hepatitis has been described. The latter can also be unmasked or exacerbated by a variety of therapies used in multiple sclerosis, such as beta-Interferon or glatiramer acetate. Two cases of hepatitis occurring after exposure to glatiramer acetate are described here: the first, was possibly due to autoimmune hepatitis, rather than glatiramer acetate induced liver injury, the second was definite autoimmune hepatitis. Both occurred in patients who had already experienced hepatitis exacerbations during previous beta-Interferon treatment. We suggest that glatiramer acetate can unmask hepatitis. Thus, liver enzyme monitoring should be undertaken frequently in those patients with multiple sclerosis receiving glatiramer acetate, with a history of hepatitis during treatment with Interferon beta-1a.
authors: Operative Unit of Internal Medicine, Palermo University, V.Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy; Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Istituto San Raffaele - G. Giglio, Cefalù, Italy; PhD course in Surgical Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: emanuelesinagra83@googlemail.com.
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Sinagra
authors: Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Istituto San Raffaele - G. Giglio, Cefalù, Italy.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: Raimondo
authors: Neurology Unit, Palermo University, V. Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Cottone
authors: Pathology Unit, Palermo University, V. Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Guddo
authors: Pathology Unit, Palermo University, V. Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Aroldo
authors: A
authors: Gabriele Rizzo
authors: Operative Unit of Internal Medicine (3), Palermo University, V.Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Amvrosiadis
authors: Operative Unit of Internal Medicine (3), Palermo University, V.Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Perricone
authors: Operative Unit of Internal Medicine (3), Palermo University, V.Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Cottone
authors: Operative Unit of Internal Medicine (3), Palermo University, V.Cervello Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Madonia