Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019158 (hepatitis)
 30,205 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Anti-GOR is an autoantibody found in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We have studied the specificity of this antibody for HCV infection in various groups of autoimmune liver diseases. Anti-HCV was detected by a second generation HCV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 14 of 29 patients with liver-kidney-microsomal (LKM-1) -antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis type 2 and in all 6 control patients with HCV-RNA-positive chronic hepatitis C. Anti-HCV was not found in those with antinuclear-antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis type 1 (10 patients), with soluble-liver-protein-antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis type 3 (8), with primary biliary cirrhosis (9), with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (10), or in healthy controls (13). Anti-GOR was detected in 11 of 14 patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 2 who were all positive for anti-HCV but only in 1 of 15 LKM-1 patients who were negative for anti-HCV. We did not find anti-GOR in any other group of autoimmune liver disease, SLE, or control sera, but this antibody was detected in 3 of 6 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Autoimmune hepatitis type 2 patients who were anti-GOR positive and anti-HCV positive were less likely to be female, were older (p less than 0.001), and had lower LKM-1 antibody titres (p less than 0.001), lower disease activity, and responded less effectively to immuno- suppression than did those who were anti-HCV negative/anti-GOR negative. The findings show that anti-GOR reflects HCV-specific autoimmunity. HCV seems to induce autoimmunity to both GOR (an HCV-specific autoepitope) and LKM-1 (an epitope that is also recognised by autoimmune hepatitis sera of a different cause). Anti-GOR and LKM-1 antibodies contribute to a better differentiation of chronic hepatitis, a finding that has therapeutic implications.
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PMID:Anti-GOR and hepatitis C virus in autoimmune liver diseases. 137 81

Several hepatobiliary diseases appear to be mediated by the host immune response. They can be subdivided into those in which the immune reaction is against an infectious agent such as hepatitis viruses, those in which the immune reaction appears to be against an autoantigen expressed on hepatobiliary cells, and those due to alloimmunity. The existence of autoimmune liver diseases indicates a breakdown in the mechanisms responsible for self-tolerance. In HBV infection, the hepatocellular necrosis appears to be mediated by the host immune response against viral antigens expressed on the membranes of infected hepatocytes. Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis can be subdivided on the basis of differences in circulating autoantibodies. In classic type I autoimmune chronic hepatitis, autoantibodies are directed against non-organ- and non-species-specific antigens. Thus, they are unlikely to be involved in pathogenesis. In contrast, type II autoimmune chronic hepatitis is characterized by antibodies against specific cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes that appear to be expressed on the surface membrane of hepatocytes. Immunogenic cytochrome P-450 also can be induced by drug metabolism and haptenation. This indicates that environmental or medicinal xenobiotics may initiate autoimmune liver damage. Primary biliary cirrhosis is characterized by T-cell-mediated inflammation and destruction of interlobular and septal bile ducts and antibodies specific for epitopes of the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of mitochondria. The histopathologic lesion NSDC also is observed in alloimmune-mediated diseases such as CGVHD and rejection of liver allografts. PSC may be mediated by an immune response against endothelial cells of the peribiliary capillary plexus, with secondary reactions to bile duct epithelial cell antigens. The pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease is multifactorial, but one component involves an immune response to acetaldehyde-protein adducts. Secondary sensitization of cell-mediated effector mechanisms, endothelial damage, and secretion of noxious cytokines appear to be involved in pathogenesis.
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PMID:Immune disorders of the liver and bile duct. 151 50

The study of chronic liver disease has been hampered by insufficient information relative to the pathogenesis of the many forms of hepatitis. Consequently, well-designed treatment strategies are frequently lacking. Wilson's disease is characterised by excessive copper accumulation in the liver and other organs. While d-penicillamine is clearly effective, many patients may not tolerate its many adverse effects. Trientine, oral zinc and unithiol have all shown promise as therapeutic alternatives. Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis responds well to prednisone and azathioprine. Cyclosporin has also produced clinical improvement in several case reports but no comparison has yet been made with the current standard therapy. Recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) has demonstrated the ability to inhibit hepatitis B viral replication, and the combination of oral corticosteroids followed by IFN alpha is more effective than either agent alone in eliminating viral replication in patients with chronic active hepatitis B. Currently, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has no standard medical management, but corticosteroids and methotrexate may each have a future role in its treatment. Drug treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been disappointing, and early reports of success with d-penicillamine were not confirmed in large well-controlled trials. While some reports of improvement with several agents have been described, larger studies are still needed. Alcoholic liver disease continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality and numerous investigators have researched several different medical avenues of treatment. Success reported with androgens and the antithyroid agent propylthiouracil in alcoholic liver disease will need confirmation by other research before these agents can be recommended for routine use. Finally, colchicine may prove to be effective in slowing the rate of fibrosis in cirrhosis, but this has yet to be conclusively proven.
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PMID:Current therapy of chronic liver disease. 219 64

Chronic hepatitis is defined as chronic liver disease of at least 6 months' duration. Liver biopsy is essential for diagnosis and allows classification into chronic persistent hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis. Chronic persistent hepatitis is associated with hepatitis B infection or with infection with the non A non B viruses. The prognosis is good and it requires no treatment. Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis presents a very active clinical, biochemical and immunological picture. Prednisolone therapy is of benefit in prolonging life. Steroid therapy is disappointing in hepatitis B related chronic active hepatitis. Superinfection with delta agent may affect HBsAg positive patients: it appears to cause activation of disease and progression towards cirrhosis. Hepatocarcinoma is another complication of chronic B infection. Chronic active non A non B hepatitis is diagnosed by elimination since there is no specific diagnostic test.
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PMID:[Value of puncture biopsy of the liver during diagnostic and follow-up examinations (clinical aspects, immunological markers, images) in chronic hepatitis]. 242 1

A nationwide survey using questionnaires was carried out concerning lupoid hepatitis and related diseases (518 cases) during the 8-year period from January, 1975 to December, 1982. The following results were obtained. A total of 253 cases of autoimmune hepatitis, consisting of 97 lupoid hepatitis and 156 lupoid type CAH, were reported. Autoimmune hepatitis was overwhelmingly predominant in females, while male cases of B type CAH with a gamma-globulin level of more than 2 g/dl significantly outnumbered female CAH cases of the same type. The liver function tests at the first examination demonstrated that transaminases, total bilirubin, ICG (R15) and gamma-globulin were increased, and ChE was decreased in lupoid hepatitis. Lupoid type CAH showed a close similarity with lupoid hepatitis rather than to the nLnB type or B type with regard to liver function. Of the 289 patients who could be followed up, 280 cases (97%) received steroid hormones, and 247 (85%) received no another drug. Immunosuppressive treatment was also performed in 40% of the HBs antigen-positive cases of B type CAH. The efficacy was about 90% in the lupoid hepatitis group as well as in the lupoid type CAH group. It was no greater than approximately 70% in any other group. Analysis of survival revealed the following: 1) The cumulative survival rates of autoimmune hepatitis was lowest among the different types of CAH. 2) Patients who had a high serum level of total bilirubin tended to die sooner than those who had a low level. There was no correlation between the cumulative survival rate and serum gamma-globulin concentration or antinuclear antibody titer. 3) The duration of steroid hormone therapy and the total dosage of immunosuppressants were thought to be important factors affecting the prognosis of autoimmune hepatitis.
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PMID:Autoimmune hepatitis: the present status in Japan. 387 52

A 7-year-old patient is reported who suffered from fatigue and jaundice due to chronic hepatitis. He had acquired hepatitis A virus infection in his community and communicated the disease to his German family 4 weeks later. While the other family members recovered from acute viral hepatitis A, the patient presented 10 weeks after the onset of hyperbilirubinemia (12 mg/dl) with the histology of chronic hepatitis, absence of markers for viral persistence, presence of autoantibodies against smooth muscle (1:320) and the asialoglycoprotein receptor (1:600), and marked hypergammaglobulinemia (3700 mg/dl), leading to the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. The patient received immunosuppressive therapy, symptoms of liver disease disappeared, and autoantibodies cleared from circulation. The case is discussed in the context of a putative virus-induced autoimmune hepatitis in childhood. Autoimmune hepatitis may be induced by an external trigger. Hepatitis A virus infection is one of probably several triggers that may induce autoimmune hepatitis in predisposed individuals.
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PMID:Autoimmune hepatitis following hepatitis A virus infection. 749 93

Since their initial description in 1957, the interferons (IFNs) have been increasingly used to treat a wide array of diseases. Acute adverse effects, i.e. 'flu-like' syndromes, hypo- or hypertension, tachycardia, headache, myalgias and gastrointestinal disorders, occur within the first hour or day after starting treatment. They are seldom treatment-limiting and are easily manageable. Sub-acute and chronic effects develop after several days, usually within 2 and 4 weeks of therapy. The most typical is neurological toxicity, including fatigue/asthenia, and behavioural and cognitive changes. Such symptoms may seriously impair quality of life and result in treatment discontinuation. Seizures have seldom been described. Other infrequent central nervous system adverse effects include vertigo, cramp and oculomotor nerve paralysis. Distal paraesthesias and peripheral neuropathy have been reported. IFN-associated autoimmunity is quite rare but a matter of concern. Biological or clinical manifestations usually require several months to become apparent. Autoantibodies have been shown to develop in most patients but have been inconsistently associated with clinical symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid-like arthritis and thyroiditis. Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism have been described but are usually reversible. Other infrequent autoimmune reactions include diabetes, pemphigus and worsening of multiple sclerosis. Although several patients present with a pre-existing autoimmune disorder, no predisposing factor has been clearly established. While hypotension and tachycardia are the most frequent acute cardiovascular complications, a few additional cases of cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial ischaemia have been reported after a short course or several weeks of treatment. These latter complications do not appear to be dose-dependent or age-related. Isolated cases of congestive heart failure have also been described. Mild proteinuria has been observed in 15 to 25% of patients, but acute renal toxicity is uncommon. A transient rise in serum aminotransferase levels is frequently noted during the first stage of therapy, especially in patients receiving the highest dosages. Direct hepatotoxicity is extremely rare. Autoimmune hepatitis, which is ill-diagnosed as chronic viral hepatitis, and de novo induction of autoimmune hepatitis, account for the majority of liver diseases. Haematotoxicity is relatively common but mild to moderate, and develops gradually during the first weeks of treatment. Neutropenia is the most common haematological toxicity, but is usually not dose-limiting and resolves rapidly upon drug discontinuation. Myelosuppression, autoimmune and immune allergic haemolytic anaemias and thrombocytopenias have seldom been described. Cutaneous adverse effects comprised nonspecific erythema and hair loss and, less frequently, vasculitis, local ulcerations at the site of injection and exacerbation of psoriasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Clinical toxicity of the interferons. 751 63

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) runs a variable clinical course. Slow disease progression or even spontaneous remissions can be observed and suggest that the autoimmune process can, at least to a certain extent, be controlled by regulatory elements of the patient's own immune system. In experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) spontaneous recovery is regularly observed and associated with antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific suppression. The aim of the current study was to search for similar immunoregulatory phenomena in patients with AIH. We examined T-cell reactivity to soluble human liver antigens in 11 patients with active autoimmune hepatitis and 30 patients with other liver diseases (chronic viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, fatty liver). T-cell reactivity to liver antigens was almost exclusively confined to the AIH patients. In 9 of these 11 patients we were able to compare the T-cell response in active untreated disease, directly after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and in remission, at which point T-cell reactivity was found to be markedly reduced. Addition of irradiated peripheral blood cells from the active disease phase or the remission phase to the responding cells taken before treatment showed that in eight of the nine patients there was marked suppression of the liver-specific T-cell response by cells from the remission phase. Study of the in vivo immune responsiveness by giving a tetanus toxoid booster immunization to nine patients with active untreated AIH as well as healthy controls and patients with other liver diseases showed that none of the patients with AIH showed a response to the tetanus immunization, whereas almost all the other patients showed marked responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Evidence for spontaneous immunosuppression in autoimmune hepatitis. 763 4

Autoimmune hepatitis, a chronic necroinflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by immunologic and autoimmunologic features. It is more prevalent in women than in men, and genetic factors appear to play a major role in the disease. The classification of autoimmune hepatitis is based on circulating autoantibody status; however, heterogeneity is distinguished not only by autoantibodies, but by histologic differences, a variety of clinical features, immunogenetic status, and probably pathogenesis. Presentation extends from the asymptomatic to the severely ill patient. Although patients may present with or without evidence of circulating autoantibodies, hyperglobulinemia is a rather consistent laboratory feature. Because the disease is generally steroid-responsive, therapeutic remission rates of 60-80% have been achieved with prednisone or a combination of prednisone and azathioprine, and many patients can be maintained with these drugs alone or in combination. There are no firm guidelines for decisions regarding withdrawal or reduction of medication. When treatment failures occur, orthotopic liver transplantation may be required.
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PMID:Autoimmune hepatitis: classification, heterogeneity, and treatment. 810 84

Acute and chronic autoimmune hepatitis are uncommon inflammatory liver diseases, mainly occurring in young women, in association with hypergammaglobulinemia and serum autoantibodies. Different types have been described: type 1 characterized by anti-smooth muscle and anti-nuclear antibodies; type 2 characterized by anti-LKM1 antibodies; type 3 characterized by anti-SLA antibodies. Other types, still not clearly defined, may exist. Autoimmune hepatitis are associated with HLA A1 B8 DR3 and HLA DR4. Without any treatment, the disease leads to cirrhosis and, uncommonly, to fulminant hepatitis. Large doses of corticosteroids usually allow to control the disease. Relapse of hepatitis is frequent after corticosteroid withdrawal. Concomitant administration of immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprine allows to reduce corticosteroid dosage and contributes to maintain the remission of the disease. Liver transplantation may be indicated in cases of severe cirrhosis or fulminant hepatitis.
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PMID:[Autoimmune hepatitis]. 817 63


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