Abstract
A 45-year-old hepatitis B surface antigen carrier had an allograft kidney transplantation and maintenance immunosuppression with cyclosporin A and predniso-lone. Six months later, she experienced a rapidly progressive hepatic failure manifested by elevation of serum bilirubin level, prolongation of prothrombin time, and mild to modest increase of serum aminotransferase levels. She died in 6 weeks. Postmortem liver histology showed canalicular and cellular cholestasis and ground-glass appearance and ballooning of most hepatocytes, but only mild inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining showed massive loads of hepatitis B surface and core antigens in the hepatocytes and extensive periportal fibrosis. The whole picture was compatible with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis described in hepatitis B virus-infected liver transplant. Sequencing of the hepatitis B virus genome amplified from the patient's serum indicated a precore mutant but few mutations in the core, pre-S, and S genes. Little inflammatory reaction was observed histologically despite HLA compatibility, a situation differing from that in liver transplant. This observation indicates that fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis may also occur in non-liver transplant setting.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1514-1518 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Gastroenterology |
Volume | 107 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1994 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology