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Treatment of Chronic Viral Hepatitis in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases

  • Chapter
Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

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Abstract

There exists an intricate relationship between chronic viral hepatitis, its treatment, and autoimmunity. A vast array of extrahepatic manifestations is associated with hepatitis C (1) and, to a lesser extent, hepatitis B (2); many of these conditions are mediated through autoimmune mechanisms. Shortly after the release of interferon α-2b (IFN-α2b) for the treatment of these viral infections came reports of autoimmune disorders that were either caused or unmasked by the use of this agent. Because patients with known autoimmune diseases were routinely excluded from IFN treatment trials, literature regarding the use of this agent in this important patient group is scant. Anecdotal reports and a review of the available literature, however, provide valuable clinical information, and shed light on this intriguing, but poorly documented subject.

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Authors
  1. Gehad Ghaith MD
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  2. Stuart C. Gordon MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Raymond S. Koff MD

  2. Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    George Y. Wu MD, PhD

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Ghaith, G., Gordon, S.C. (2002). Treatment of Chronic Viral Hepatitis in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases. In: Koff, R.S., Wu, G.Y. (eds) Chronic Viral Hepatitis. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-104-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-104-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-4772-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-104-6

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