Local and systemic autoimmune manifestations linked to hepatitis A infection

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) represents a global burdening infectious agent causing in the majority of cases a self-limiting acute icteric syndrome, the outcome is related to the hepatic substrate and the potential pre-existing damage, whereas a plethora of extra-hepatic manifestations has also been reported. Despite the absence of post-HAV chronicity it has been associated with an additional burden on existing chronic liver diseases. Moreover, the induced immune response and the antigenic molecular mimicry are considered as triggering factors of autoimmunity with regional and distal impact. Diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Still’s syndrome, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, antiphospholipid syndrome, systematic lupus erythematosus or cryoglobulinemic vasculitis have been described in patients with HAV infection. Although the exact mechanisms remain unclear, this review aims to accumulate and clarify the pathways related to this linkage.