Collagen Disease Debuting as Acute Hepatitis

Abstract

Three cases of acute hepatitis in debuting collagen disease were observed. One patient suffered from typical polyarteritis nodosa and succumbed after 6 months. The other two patients developed a disease resembling systemic lupus erythematosus with persisting multiorgan symptoms. Liver biopsies performed in the initial phase revealed the typical picture of acute ‘viral’ hepatitis. Two of the cases were anicteric. In one of two patients positive tests for Australia antigen were found. The observed acute hepatitis in debuting collagen diseases is discussed in relation to previously described types of liver affection in collagen disease.

Key-words:

• Collagen disease
• hepatitis, acute
• liver biopsy