Co-occurrence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and autoimmune hepatitis in a young Senegalese girl

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Aug;18(8):927-9. doi: 10.1097/00042737-200608000-00021.

Abstract

We report the case of a 9-year-old Senegalese girl with co-occurring wild-type (HBeAg-positive) chronic hepatitis B and antinuclear antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis. Her HLA haplotype was A1, B8, DRB1*04, DQB1*02. Steriod and lamivudine therapy led to biochemical remission, and reactivation occurred when the patient stopped steroids. Persistent HBV infection due to wild-type virus (likely acquired vertically or early in life, as the mother was HBsAg positive) may have acted as a trigger for autoimmune hepatitis in this young girl.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / ethnology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / ethnology
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Senegal / ethnology