Related Experiment Videos
Anti-liver/kidney microsome-1-positive chronic hepatitis C with type I cryoglobulinemia responding to interferon
1Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Kawasaki.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can trigger autoimmune responses like anti-liver/kidney microsome (LKM) 1 antibodies and cryoglobulinemia. Interferon therapy effectively treated both HCV and cryoglobulinemia in a patient.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Autoimmune phenomena, such as anti-liver/kidney microsome (LKM) 1 antibodies and cryoglobulinemia, are rarely associated with chronic HCV.
- Understanding the interplay between viral infection and autoimmune responses is crucial for effective patient management.
Abstract:
A 53-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for close examination of his liver. Serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and anti-liver/kidney microsome (LKM) 1 were positive. Benign monoclonal gammopathy and type I cryoglobulinemia (both of IgG lambda class) which are rarely seen in association with chronic hepatitis C, were found to be present. Interferon therapy was given, resulting in the disappearance of both HCV-RNA and type I cryoglobulin in the blood. We propose a hypothesis that the primary cause of anti-LKM-1-positive chronic hepatitis C is HCV infection which triggers secondary autoimmune phenomena presenting anti-LKM-1 and cryoglobulinemia.