Polyarteritis nodosa in a patient with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis

South Med J. 2011 Jan;104(1):49-52. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181fd0be6.

Abstract

Polyarteritis nodosa is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that affects small- and medium-sized arteries. Liver involvement in patients with polyarteritis nodosa has been described, and ranges from asymptomatic elevation of aminotransferases to hepatic aneurysm rupture. We describe the case of a patient with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis and compensated liver cirrhosis who developed classic polyarteritis nodosa, complicated with cytomegalovirus and repeated urinary tract infections. After a long bedridden hospitalization, the patient's condition was stabilized. She is currently in good health, with well-controlled blood pressure, and stable kidney and liver function. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature with concurrent appearance of both diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / immunology*
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / immunology
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / complications*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / diagnosis
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear