Chronic hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome: report of two cases
Vella, F.Saverio.; Simone, B.; Orlando, P.; Simone, O.; Antonaci, S.
Recenti Progressi in Medicina 95(10): 472-475
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-1193 PMID: 15560294 Document Number: 572252
The coexistence of non-organ specific autoantibodies and chronic hepatitis C features raises the dilemma as to whether the pathogenesis is viral or autoimmune and consequently to be treated with interferon or corticosteroids. Two cases with autoimmune characteristics and chronic hepatitis C are reported. We discuss the possibility of classifying this overlap form in three distinct entities: viral disease with an autoimmune epiphenomenon ("false hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome"), viral disease associated to an autoimmune pathogenic component ("true hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome") and false serological anti-HCV positivity in classical autoimmune hepatitis. In our experience the interferon/corticosteroid association was successful.