A case of primary biliary cirrhosis exacerbating as acute hepatitis triggered by drug administration for malignant lymphoma

Abstract

A 56-year-old man, who underwent chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma of central nervous system, was admitted four months after treatment for acute liver damage. Elevation of AST, ALT, bile duct enzymes and IgM was noted. Anti-mitochondrial antibody was positive. Liver biopsy specimen disclosed chronic active hepatitis with Scheuer's stage 1-2 primary biliary cirrhosis. Liver enzymes got normalized after treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid and bezafibrate. Acute onset of primary biliary cirrhosis may be associated with changes of immune response caused by chemotherapy or with immune response to other drugs.