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Autoimmune hepatitis in monozygotic twins - a case report
K Weiss1, C V Sousa, B Knechtle
1Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland. beat.knechtle@hispeed.ch.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|October 31, 2022
Summary
Autoimmune hepatitis, a chronic liver disease, shows familial aggregation. This case report of monozygotic twins developing autoimmune hepatitis supports a significant genetic factor in its development.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease driven by immune system dysfunction.
- Familial clustering of AIH suggests a potential genetic predisposition.
Observation:
- A case study involving middle-aged monozygotic female twins who developed autoimmune hepatitis sequentially within a two-year period.
- Both twins had a history of Graves' disease treated with carbimazole and were cigarette smokers prior to AIH onset.
Findings:
- The monozygotic twins presented with consecutive autoimmune hepatitis.
- Treatment with budesonide and azathioprine successfully normalized liver parameters in both twins.
Implications:
- This case report provides compelling evidence supporting the hypothesis of a significant genetic contribution to the etiology of autoimmune hepatitis.
- Further research into genetic factors influencing autoimmune hepatitis susceptibility is warranted.
