A recovery case of acute-onset autoimmune hepatitis presenting as fulminant hepatic failure [corrected], who received living donor-liver transplantation

Approach to the patient with acute severe autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is associated with varied clinical presentations and natural history, as well as somewhat unpredictable treatment responses. Understanding how to stratify patients who require further escalation of therapy will help clinicians manage these patients. The presentation of acute severe autoimmune hepatitis (AS-AIH) is relatively uncommon, although its prevalence is potentially greater than currently perceived. Previous studies consist of small retrospective single-centre series and are not directly comparable due to the diversity of presentations, disease definitions and non-standardised treatment regimens. We define AS-AIH as those who present acutely with AIH and are icteric with an international normalised ratio ≥1.5 and no evidence of hepatic encephalopathy. Those with hepatic encephalopathy should be defined as having AS-AIH with acute liver failure. In this review, we provide a structured practical approach for diagnosing and managing this unique group of patients.

Treatment of Fulminant Autoimmune Hepatitis: Corticosteroid Therapy or Liver Transplantation? A Case Report and Literature Review

Autoimmune hepatitis initially presenting as fulminant hepatic failure is rare in clinical practice. Although corticosteroid is considered as a good therapeutic agent in treating autoimmune hepatitis in the literature, the effect of corticosteroid in treating fulminant autoimmune hepatitis is still controversial. Because corticosteroid therapy for fulminant autoimmune hepatitis can sometimes overlook any future treatment such as delay the timing of liver transplantation and precipitate postoperative complications. We report a case of a 41-year-old female who was admitted to our hosptal because of acute hepatitis with severe jaundice. Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis complicated by fulminant hepatic failure was diagnosed on the basis of her clinical course and laboratory findings. Although we prescribed aggressive medical treatment, plasma transfusion, and plasma exchange therapy, her liver function deteriorated progressively and she developed hepatic coma later. Finally, her fulminant hepatic fuilure gained dramatic improvement after receiving an orthotopic liver transplant from her younger brother. High MELD score and poor treatment response of corticosteroid therapy are indicators of poor prognosis and need of prompt OLT. Moreover, the preoperative interventions should be applied carefully ensuring that they do not delay OLT or precipitate postoperative complications such as infection, bleeding, or poor wound healing.

Comparison of clinical features and liver histology in acute and chronic autoimmune hepatitis

AIM

We investigated the clinical and morphological features between acute and chronic autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) with or without acute exacerbation.

METHODS & RESULTS

Serum total bilirubin on average was elevated to 12 mg/dL in acute AIH, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase peaked to more than 1000 U/L, and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was higher in the acute type compared with the chronic type without exacerbation. Serum immunoglobulin G was lowest in all other types of AIH. A liver biopsy showed interface or lobular hepatitis with lympho-plasmacytic infiltration, and rosette formations were frequently seen in acute AIH. There were morphological changes of central necrosis with plasmacytic infiltration and giant cell hepatitis. CK19-positive cholangiolar cells had proliferated in the periportal area with massive necrosis, and bile duct injuries were seen in acute AIH more frequently than in the chronic type.

CONCLUSION

Laboratory data and liver histology in acute AIH differed from those of chronic AIH and were clarified for the diagnosis of acute AIH.