Development of autoimmune hepatitis during direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

An 81-year-old woman developed liver dysfunction after two months’ treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. She was positive for serum anti-nuclear antibody, with an elevated immunoglobulin G level. A liver biopsy revealed high-grade interface hepatitis and infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells. DAA-associated drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis (DI-AIH) was considered. Her liver dysfunction improved after discontinuing DAA therapy and starting prednisolone treatment. The differential diagnosis for AIH should include liver injury during DAA therapy for chronic HCV infection.