Autoimmune hepatitis complicated by late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

A 69-year-old man with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was admitted to hospital with high fever and cough. Chest roentgenogram and computed tomography showed pleural and pericardial effusion. Serological tests showed a high titer of antinuclear antibodies and positive anti-DNA antibody and lymphocytopenia. He fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). After administration of corticosteroids, his symptoms and liver dysfunction improved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first male case of overlap between AIH and late-onset SLE.