ISSN:
1573-2568
Keywords:
autoantibodies
;
hepatitis C virus
;
autoimmune hepatitis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We have reclassified 110 patients with autoantibody-positive cryptogenic chronic hepatitis according to the aggregate scoring system proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group for signs of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the newly proposed terminology of “unclassified” chronic hepatitis. Anti-HCV and HCV viremia were assessed by second-generation assays and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunomorphological and immunochemical characterizations of antinuclear, smooth muscle, liver-kidney microsomal type 1, and liver cytosol type 1 autoantibodies were also performed. All 45 anti-HCV negative patients fulfilled the score criteria for the diagnosis of “definite” or “probable” autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Eight anti-HCV-positive cases reached the score of “probable” AIH, whereas the remaining 57 cases were diagnosed as unclassified chronic hepatitis. The scoring system allows the correct identification of all autoimmune cases without HCV infection. Autoimmune hepatitis runs a more severe disease course than unclassified chronic hepatitis, whose clinical and histological features are similar to those of autoantibody-negative chronic hepatitis C.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02208600
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