Granulomatous hepatitis, perihepatic lymphadenopathies, and autoantibody positivity: an unusual association in a child with hepatitis C

EĞRİTAŞ GÜRKAN Ö., SARI S., DALGIÇ B., VURAL Ç., AKYOL G.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, cilt.168, sa.3, ss.275-279, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 168 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2009
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00431-008-0749-3
  • Dergi Adı: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.275-279
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

A 10-year-old boy with hepatitis C had granulomatous hepatitis (GH) at initial liver biopsy. He also had enlarged perihepatic lymph nodes and smooth muscle antibody (SMA) positivity. GH is a rare finding in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Our patient is special since GH secondary to HCV infection was associated with both autoantibodies and multiple intraabdominal lymphadenopathies. After interferon (IFN) and ribavirin therapy, HCV RNA became negative, along with the resolution of hepatic granulomas (HG), lymphadenopathies, and SMA positivity. Although early virologic response was not achieved under IFN treatment, the therapy period was extended, contrary to routine practice, and resulted in a delayed response. We conclude that the usage of IFN for longer periods in GH-associated HCV infection might be promising.