Chronic active hepatitis in the type I polyglandular autoimmune syndrome

• Published in: Postgraduate medical journal Vol. 70; no. 820; pp. 128 - 131
• Main Authors: Michele, T. M., Fleckenstein, J., Sgrignoli, A. R., Thuluvath, P. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine 01.02.1994; BMJ; Oxford University Press; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Complex syndromes; Family Health; Female; Hepatitis, Chronic - etiology; Hepatitis, Chronic - genetics; Hepatitis, Chronic - pathology; Humans; Liver - pathology; Male; Medical genetics; Medical sciences; Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune - complications; Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune - genetics; Endocrinopathy; Human; Skin disease; Candidiasis; Active hepatitis; Mycosis; Liver; Autoimmune disease; Infection; Case study; Chronic; Digestive diseases; Complex syndrome; Child
• ISSN: 0032-5473; 1469-0756
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.70.820.128

Type I polyglandular autoimmune syndrome is characterized by the triad of hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Chronic active hepatitis has been associated with this syndrome but its incidence and severity have not been well documented. We describe a sibship of two patients with type I polyglandular autoimmune syndrome who presented with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. The first patient presented to us with advanced disease and died despite an emergent liver transplant, while the second patient responded to steroids. Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, a major cause of mortality in this syndrome, can present without symptoms or physical signs of liver disease. We suggest periodic screening of liver enzymes in subjects with this syndrome.