Autoimmune Hepatitis After Long-Term Methotrexate Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Title: Autoimmune Hepatitis After Long-Term Methotrexate Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Volume: 6 Issue: 3

Author(s): Ricardo Moreno-Otero, Luisa Garcia-Buey, Asuncion Garcia-Sanchez and Maria Trapero-Marugan

Affiliation:

Keywords: Autoimmune hepatitis, methotrexate, rheumatoid arthritis, drug-induced autoimmunity, immunological tolerance, corticosteroids

Abstract: Methotrexate (MTX) therapy may be effective in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Potential liver toxicity of MTX exists, but the incidence of MTX- specific lesions in liver biopsy of patients with RA and elevated serum transaminase levels is rare; however, severe hepatic damage may occurs unexpectedly in these patients. We describe the first documented case of an adult patient with RA who developed an acute flare of severe hepatitis after long-term therapy with MTX. Autoantibodies positivity, elevated serum IgG levels and compatible liver biopsy findings prompted us to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis, most probably triggered by a breakdown of immune tolerance induced by MTX. A complete remission was achieved in this patient with corticosteroids therapy.

Cite this article as:

Moreno-Otero Ricardo, Garcia-Buey Luisa, Garcia-Sanchez Asuncion and Trapero-Marugan Maria, Autoimmune Hepatitis After Long-Term Methotrexate Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Current Drug Safety 2011; 6 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488611797579221