Estudio de frecuencia del anticuerpo LKM-1 en una cohorte de pacientes con criterios de hepatitis autoinmune

Background: autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and immune disease with typical clinic and laboratory characteristics. Liver/kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (LKM-1) and liver cytosol antibody type 1 (LC1) are the markers of type 2 AIH and differentiates the subtypes of AIH. Anti- LKM-1 antibodies are present in AIH type 2 and help to differentiate AIH type 1from AIH 2. Incidence and prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis and LKM-1 antibodies in Colombia are unknown. Objectives: our goal was to analyze a group of patients with AIH and to study the frequency of anti-LKM-1 antibody in these patients. In addition, we described the autoimmune diseases and rheumatologic signs and symptoms associated to this group of patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Methods: semi-quantitative Quanta Lite probe to detect anti-LKM-1 antibodies was developed by ELISA method from INOVA laboratories in 32 Colombian patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The diagnosis was classified of probable or definitive AIH according of the classification of international autoimmune hepatitis group. Patient with less than 10 points, dementia, toxic or drug induced hepatitis and hepatitis of metabolic origin were excluded. Results: no one of the patients was positive for anti LKM-1 antibody. The mean age was 39.03 (1,2-80), women 78.1 and men 21.9. Level of education of these patients: High school 37.5% and university 31.3%. The most frequent symptom was fatigue in 68.8%, jaundice 62%, pruritus 24.9%, arthralgia and abdominal pain 34.4%. Antinuclear antibodies positive more than 1:80 were found in 53.8% of patients. Anti- smooth muscle antibody more than 1:40 were positive in 40.6% of patients. Sjogren’s syndrome and autoimmune thyroiditis were the most frequently autoimmune diseases found.