title: Possible autoimmune hepatitis induced after chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection.
abstract: Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) can be manifested in a variety of systemic conditions, including interstitial pneumonia, malignant lymphoma, and coronary aneurysm. Sometimes it may be associated with hepatic failure, although the mechanism underlying CAEBV-related hepatotoxicity remains unclear. We encountered a case of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) associated with CAEBV. A 61-year-old male was referred to our hospital because of abnormal liver enzyme levels after initial diagnosis of CAEBV had been made by laboratory tests and liver biopsy. On admission, positivity for anti-nuclear antibody was evident, and examination of the liver biopsy specimen showed findings compatible with AIH. Steroid administration was initiated, and the liver function parameters subsequently improved. Although phenotypic changes in liver biopsy specimens are rare in this condition, the present case could provide clues to the possible pathogenesis of AIH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.forename: Rika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ishii-Aso
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haga
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okumoto
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishise
authors.forename: Hisayoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ueno
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged