Recurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis after liver transplantation.

Abstract

Three patients who had undergone orthrotopic liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis and were being maintained on immunosuppressive therapy were investigated 31/2 to 41/2 years later because of the redevelopment of pruritus and mild jaundice. In one patient pigmentation was again evident, and all three had a rise in the titer of serum mitochondrial antibody after an initial fall. Liver histology showed features of primary biliary cirrhosis with non-suppurative destructive cholangitis, lymphoid aggregates, and increased deposition of copper-binding protein in the absence of cholestasis. None of these features was found in patients who had received grafts for other conditions and had lived for comparable periods, nor were they found in patients who had had rejection with bile-duct abnormalities. The overall findings indicate a recurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis in the donor organ.

• Authors: J Neuberger, B Portmann, B R Macdougall, R Y Calne, R Williams
• Journal: The New England journal of medicine (N Engl J Med) Vol. 306 Issue 1 Pg. 1-4 (Jan 07 1982) ISSN: 0028-4793 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7031471 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigen-Antibody Complex
• Autoantibodies
• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Antigen-Antibody Complex (analysis)
• Autoantibodies (analysis)
• Female
• Graft Rejection
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Liver (pathology)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary (immunology, pathology, surgery)
• Liver Transplantation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mitochondria, Liver (immunology)
• Recurrence
• Time Factors