Characteristics of COVID-19 Infection in a Hospitalized Autoimmune Hepatitis Patient

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a major public health worldwide. Hepatic dysfunction has been seen in patients with COVID-19 and could be related to a viral cytopathic effect, an exacerbated immune reaction, or drug-induced liver damage. Currently, routine modification of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection remains an important topic to be discussed. However, there is little evidence about this thematic to support any recommendation. Here, we described a case report in which the use of an immunosuppressive drug by a patient with diagnosed AIH might have influenced the COVID-19 clinical course with altered laboratory hematological and biochemical parameters during infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; autoimmune hepatitis.

Figure 1

Liver tissue histological sections. (A) Inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, occasional plasma cells, and eosinophils. The infiltrate extends beyond the limiting lamina (arrow) and is associated with necrose foci, (B) portal spaces demonstrate mild bile duct proliferation (arrow), and (C) lobule histological findings are characterized by mild macrogoticular steatosis.