Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1979-4-25
pubmed:abstractText
Progressive liver injury in chronic active liver disease is usually associated with elevation of serum immunoglobulin levels. However, the role of immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of this disease is still obscure. We report here the case of a 41-year-old man with hypogammaglobulinemia since at least 1964 in whom chronic active liver disease later developed. From 1954 he had had frequent respiratory tract infections, and these continued, along with diarrhea, despite regular gamma-globulin therapy. Studies in 1969 showed absent serum IgA and IgM and an abnormally low level of IgG. In 1974, liver enzyme abnormalities were recorded and a diagnosis of chronic active liver disease was made. A liver biopsy showed cirrhosis with active hepatitis. Lymphocyte function studies revealed that the T cells suppressed B-cell maturation and production of immunoglobulins. He was treated with azathioprine and prednisone, and this therapy has been associated with a decrease in both the elevation in liver enzymes and the frequency of infections. This case suggests that liver cell injury in chronic active liver disease is independent of the elevation of immunoglobulins and that immunosuppressive therapy may be well tolerated by patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0025-6196
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
54
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
127-30
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-10-29
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1979
pubmed:articleTitle
Chronic active liver disease with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Case Reports