Recurrence of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Children After Liver Transplantation

Abstract

We conclude that liver transplant for autoimmune hepatitis is likely to be palliative for most pediatric patients. Potent immunosuppressives such as tacrolimus do not protect against the development of recurrent autoimmune hepatitis.

Liver biopsy interpretation for causes of late liver allograft dysfunction

“…Criteria used to distinguish rejection from AIH can be melded into generalized criteria applicable to other causes of late liver allograft dysfunction, [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] including: (1) histopathological evidence of liver injury showing a pattern compatible with the diagnosis (liver tests are usually elevated in a pattern consistent with the diagnosis); (2) positive serological, molecular biological, immunological, or radiographic evidence of pathogen or possible cause of injury; and (3) other causes of similar histopathological changes and elevated liver tests, if present, have been reasonably excluded. Table 1 shows approximate incidences, risk factors, and clinical, immunological, and radiological observations for common causes of late dysfunction.…”

Recurrent autoimmune hepatitis after orthotopic liver transplantation

“…3,4 Furthermore, autoantibodies and hypergammaglobulinemia disappear in most patients within 2 years. 1,2 Despite these successes, recurrent disease is possible, 2,3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] and recent reports have indicated that it may lead to cirrhosis and graft failure. 2,8,12 Furthermore, the immunoreactive propensity of the recipient may contribute to greater frequencies of acute rejection, steroid-resistant rejection, and chronic rejection, especially if corticosteroids are withdrawn in the posttransplantation period.…”

“…1,2 Despite these successes, recurrent disease is possible, 2,3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] and recent reports have indicated that it may lead to cirrhosis and graft failure. 2,8,12 Furthermore, the immunoreactive propensity of the recipient may contribute to greater frequencies of acute rejection, steroid-resistant rejection, and chronic rejection, especially if corticosteroids are withdrawn in the posttransplantation period. [12][13][14][15] The reasons for recurrent disease are unclear, but associations have been made with corticosteroid withdrawal, 5,9,11,16 implantation of an HLA-DR3-negative liver into a HLA-DR3-positive recipient, 5,6,17 immunosuppressive regimens based on tacrolimus, 8,10,12 and pediatric propensities for aggressive disease.…”

“…2,8,12 Furthermore, the immunoreactive propensity of the recipient may contribute to greater frequencies of acute rejection, steroid-resistant rejection, and chronic rejection, especially if corticosteroids are withdrawn in the posttransplantation period. [12][13][14][15] The reasons for recurrent disease are unclear, but associations have been made with corticosteroid withdrawal, 5,9,11,16 implantation of an HLA-DR3-negative liver into a HLA-DR3-positive recipient, 5,6,17 immunosuppressive regimens based on tacrolimus, 8,10,12 and pediatric propensities for aggressive disease. 8 However, findings in various centers have been discrepant regarding the prevalence of recurrence, its consequences, and its risk factors.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] The reasons for recurrent disease are unclear, but associations have been made with corticosteroid withdrawal, 5,9,11,16 implantation of an HLA-DR3-negative liver into a HLA-DR3-positive recipient, 5,6,17 immunosuppressive regimens based on tacrolimus, 8,10,12 and pediatric propensities for aggressive disease. 8 However, findings in various centers have been discrepant regarding the prevalence of recurrence, its consequences, and its risk factors. The importance of HLA-DR3 mismatching between donor and recipient 3,5,6,11,12,13 and the impact of corticosteroid withdrawal on the recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis 5,9,14,18 are now disputed.…”