The Relationship Between COVID-19 and Auto-immune Hepatitis: An Infectious Agent or Cause for Deterioration?

Abstract

Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is classified based on the cause and degree of the disease. Environmental factors, such as pathogens and viruses, can cause this disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Case Presentation: The patient was a 48-year-old woman who developed cholestasis following COVID-19 and was diagnosed with AIH after a liver biopsy. The lab tests showed a rise in liver function enzymes, gamma protein, and IgG. Conclusions: It seems that the loss of immune tolerance against the patient's liver antigens is considered the main pathogenic mechanism.