1987 Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 98-104
A case with typical lupoid hepatitis whose hepatic histology could be obtained prior to development of the disease, is described. The case was 46 years old female. Since her 32 year old age, she suffered from polyarthralgia. Hypergammaglobulinemia and antinuclear antibody were detected since her 40 year of age. At her 45 year old age, Hashimoto's disease developed. At the same time abnormalities in the liver function test were pointed out. Since then she had repeated acute exacerbation of the liver injury for these 5 years. Thereafter serum IgG concentration was raised, and liver cell membrane antibody and LE cell phenomena became positive. Number of peripheral OKT 4 positive lymphocyte was gradually increased while that of OKT 8 positive lymphocyte fell. By biopsy of the liver, the histological feature changed from chronic hepatitis inactive type to the active one, and finally typical lupoid hepatitis developed during this observation period.
As shown in the present case, immunological abnormalities may be observe preceding the development of lupoid hepatitis.
