Prolonged acute hepatitis A mimicking autoimmune hepatitis.

AIM: We report a case with a prolonged course of hepatitis A, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) higher than 500 IU/L for more than 2 mo.

METHODS

A middle-aged woman had an elevated IgG level of more than 2,000 mg/dL, positive anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), but no evidence of persistent hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Liver biopsy findings were compatible with prolonged acute hepatitis, although acute onset of autoimmune hepatitis could not be ruled out.

RESULTS

It was assumed that she developed a course of hepatitis similar to autoimmune hepatitis triggered by HAV infection. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment was initiated and a favorable outcome was obtained.

CONCLUSION

We describe a case of a middle-aged woman who showed a prolonged course of acute hepatitis A mimicking autoimmune hepatitis. Treatment with UDCA proved to be effective.