Decompensated Cirrhosis as Presentation of LKM1/LC1 Positive Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis in Adulthood. A Rare Clinical Entity of Difficult Management

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and aggressive liver disease that rapidly evolves into cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease if not timely diagnosed and treated with immunosuppressive therapy. AIH is classified into type 1 and type 2 according to the autoantibody pattern, with smooth muscle antibodies and/or antinuclear antibodies as serological markers of AIH-1, while antiliver cytosol antibody type 1 and/or antiliver/kidney microsomal antibody type 1 characterize type 2 AIH, which mainly affects children, including infants, and adolescents. Case Summary: We describe a case of type 2 AIH, clinically onset in a 34-year-old woman with decompensated cirrhosis. Only a thorough analysis of the autoantibody profile allowed for a diagnosis of an AIH-2 evolved into cirrhosis. The patient received a moderate corticosteroid therapy without achieving optimal disease control. We discuss the controversial decision of whether or not to treat the patient with immunosuppressive therapy, which should be balanced with the potential risk of infectious and other complications. A review of the literature on the management of patients with autoimmune cirrhosis is also presented. Conclusions: AIH-2 can be clinically onset in adult patients with cirrhosis and its complications, without being preceded by major clinical signs. Due to the difficult management of cirrhosis with immunosuppressive treatments, a patient-tailored strategy with a case-by-case approach is needed to prevent major complications such as infections, potentially precluding liver transplantation the only curative therapy.

1. Introduction

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and severe liver disease of unknown etiology, which mainly affects young women and can quickly develop into cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease if not timely diagnosed and treated with immunosuppressive therapy [1,2,3].

AIH is historically classified into type 1 and type 2 based on the autoantibody profile, with antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and/or smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) as serological markers of AIH type 1, while liver/kidney microsomal type 1 (LKM1) autoantibody and/or liver cytosol antibody type 1 (LC1) autoantibody characterize AIH type 2. The detection of a further autoantibody named anti-soluble liver antigen (anti-SLA/LP) in ANA, SMA and LKM1 seronegative patients has resulted in the proposal of a third type of AIH [4]. Therefore, in the 1990s, on the basis of the autoantibody profile, AIH was classified into three main types: type 1 characterized by ANA and/or SMA positivity, type 2 marked by anti-LKM1 anti-LC1, and finally type 3 exhibiting anti-SLA antibodies.

The identification of occasional patients with all the clinical, biochemical and histological features of AIH, including an overt response to an immunosuppressive treatment, but lacking one of the recognized autoantibody markers, has suggested the hypothesis of a fourth type of AIH, called ‘autoantibody-negative’ AIH. [5,6]. The subclassification of AIH into two forms, type 1 and type 2, seems to have a certain relevance in pediatric settings: anti-LKM1 positive forms are characteristic of children with higher levels of bilirubin and transaminases at onset who more frequently present fulminant liver failure, while the presence of cirrhosis in the baseline biopsy and a severely compromised liver function is more frequent in AIH-1 [7,8].

The clinical course of AIH is characterized by fluctuated periods of decreased or increased activity, and therefore its clinical presentation is variable, ranging from no symptoms to severe acute hepatitis and even fulminant hepatic failure. Most common clinical phenotypes (almost two-thirds of patients) are characterized by one or more nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, mild pain in the right upper quadrant, lethargy, malaise, anorexia, nausea, pruritus, jaundice and arthralgia.

The “acute” presentation of AIH includes two distinct clinical forms: the acute exacerbation of chronic AIH and ‘true’ acute AIH without histological features of chronic disease. One-third of patients at diagnosis have progressed to cirrhosis regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms, suggesting a diagnostic delay owing to unfamiliar physicians and laboratories [1,2].

However, while the patterns of clinical presentation of type 1 AIH are widely described, for type 2 AIH the available data are more limited [9,10,11].

Immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents is the standard treatment of AIH, while liver transplantation (LT) is the only available treatment for patients with advanced/end-stage liver disease [10].

While treatment of AIH in noncirrhotic patients is well established with adequate proof that response to immunosuppressive therapy ensures a good prognosis, very little data are available on the optimal management of patients presenting with cirrhosis. Here, we report a very rare and poorly described LKM1/LC1-positive AIH-2 in an adult patient who presented with decompensated cirrhosis and discuss the difficulty of managing autoimmune cirrhosis and the need for a personalized approach in the choice of therapy and patient management.

2. Case Presentation

We report the case of a 34-year-old woman admitted to the local hospital for an incidental finding of thrombocytopenia (34,000/mm³), INR elevation (1.6), moderate hypertransaminasemia (AST/ALT: 81/122 U/L, limit of normal: 40 U/L), hyperbilirubinemia (2.9 mg/dL), hypoalbuminemia (26 g/L) and serum IgG elevation (3213/1600 mg/dL).

From a clinical point of view, she had abdominal distension that appeared progressively over the last four weeks. The clinical-laboratory profile was therefore suggestive of cirrhosis with ascitic decompensation, Child–Pugh B10 and MELD 15. Her past medical history was negative, while her family history only documented autoimmune thyroiditis in her mother. Laboratory tests excluded HBV-, HCV-, CMV- and EBV-related hepatitis. The serum levels of ceruloplasmin, alpha1-antitrypsin and ferritin were normal. She also exhibited a selective IgA deficiency (7 mg/dL) and autoimmune hypothyroidism. The abdominal ultrasound showed signs of cirrhosis with portal hypertension, splenomegaly and moderate–severe ascites. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed esophageal varices F1 without red signs. Diuretic therapy was set with furosemide, potassium canrenoate and albumin infusion. After obtaining a clinical improvement, the patient was sent to our Center for suspected autoimmune liver disease in light of the marked increase in serum IgG. We performed an accurate diagnostic work-up and the search for non-organ-specific autoantibodies (NOSA) by standard indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique showed anti-LKM1 autoantibody positivity at a titre of 1:1260 (Figure 1A,B).

To confirm the finding of LKM1 positivity in the absence of HCV infection, a more accurate second level technique was performed with immunoblot (Liver Profile, Euroimmune, Lübeck, Germany), which showed a strong positivity for LKM1 and LC1, thus confirming an autoantibody profile typical for AIH-2.

Liver biopsy was performed and showed cirrhosis with moderate inflammatory activity (stage 5, grading 8 according to the Ishak scoring system), with the presence of plasma cell clusters, interface hepatitis and rosettes (Figure 2A–C).

The revised score of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAHG) was 23, while the simplified score was 8, both scores being indicative of defined AIH [1,4,12].

Table 1. Patient laboratory parameters at diagnosis.

Variables	Patient Value	Reference Values
AST	81	<40
ALT	125	<40
Total Bilirubin (mg/dl)	2.9	<1.2
ALP	131	<120
γGT	321	<38
Total protein/γ-globulin (g/L/%)	5.8/26%	6.6–8.3/11–18.8%
Albumin serum level (g/L)	26	35–50
IgG serum level (mg/dL)	3213	700–1600
IgM serum level (mg/dL)	155	40–230
IgA serum level (mg/dL)	7	70–400
ANA	Negative	Negative
SMA	Negative	Negative
LKM1	1:1280 ^ +++ *	Negative
LC1	+++ *	Negative
SLA	Negative	Negative
AMA	Negative	Negative
Anti-Sp100	Negative	Negative
Anti-gp210	Negative	Negative
pANCA	Negative	Negative
Anti-tTG IgA/IgG	Negative	Negative
AIH revised score	23	Definite AIH: >15 Probable: 10–15
AIH simplified score	8	Definite: AIH: ≥7 Probable: AIH: ≥6

AST: serum aspartate aminotransferase, ALT: serum alanine aminotransferase, ALP: serum alkaline phosphatase, γGT: serum gamma-glutamyltransferase, ANA: antinuclear antibodies, SMA: anti-smooth muscle antibodies, LKM1: liver–kidney–microsomal autoantibodies type 1, LC1: liver cytosol specific antibody type 1, SLA: antibody to soluble liver antigen, pANCA: perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies, Anti-tTG: anti-tissue transglutaminase. ^—detected by indirect immunofluorescence, *—detected by immunoblot.

shows the clinical-laboratory picture at diagnosis.

After the resolution of ascites, in view of the hypertransaminasemia (2–3× UNL), histological grading and high IgG values indicative of active disease, after a collegial discussion, we considered it appropriate to start a steroid therapy with prednisone at 15 mg/day with the aim of suppressing the residual inflammatory activity, minimizing the risk of infectious complications and given the recent episode of ascitic decompensation.

In light of the severe liver function impairment and the risks associated with immune suppressive therapy, the patient was evaluated and listed for LT.

Two months later, there was a reduction in the AST-ALT serum levels (1.5–2× UNL), hyperbilirubinemia (1.5 mg/dL) and a normalization of the serum IgG (1500 mg/dL), and in view of acceptable platelet (120.000/mmc), hemoglobin (13 g/dL) and white blood cell (5.500/mmc) values, azathioprine (50 mg/day) was added with steroid tapering up to a maintenance daily dose of 7.5 mg, given the failure to normalize transaminases and the persistent γGT elevation.

Due to the persistent AST/ALT and γGT elevation and IgA deficiency, in June 2019 she underwent a magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography that did not show bile duct stones or biliary obstruction, and an IgG antitissue transglutaminase assay that turned out negative. The histological and radiological (MR) aspects, as well as AMA, PBC-specific ANAs (anti-sp100 and anti-gp210) and pANCA negativity, ruled out the hypothesis that the persistent γGT elevation could be a possible sign of an AIH-PBC or AIH-primary sclerosing cholangitis overlap syndrome [13,14,15].

During the follow-up, the patient presented two episodes of Streptococcus Pneumoniae sepsis respectively in December 2019 and June 2020, with a concomitant worsening of the liver function (Child–Pugh and MELD scores up to B9 and 18, respectively) and a need to discontinue the immunosuppressive treatment.

In September 2020, she showed mild hypertransaminasemia (AST-ALT: 1.5–1.6× UNL), a persistent γGT elevation (6.8× UNL) in the absence of ascites, with Child–Pugh B8 and MELD 14.

Table 2. Patient history in a timeline format.

Time	Event	Findings
July 2018	Admitted to the Internal Medicine Unit of the local hospital due to progressive abdominal distension associated with liver enzymes (3–4× UNL) and bilirubin (2.8 mg/dL) elevation	Laboratory and imaging features suggestive for decompensated cirrhosis with abundant ascites
	Laboratory workup for liver function assessment	Child–Pugh B9 MELD 12
	Laboratory workup for cirrhosis etiology	HBV and HCV negative viral markers
	Albumin infusion and diuretic therapy	Improvement of ascites
September 2018	Admitted to the Center for the Study and Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System for suspected autoimmune liver diseases due to the raised serum IgG level	LKM1 and LC1 autoantibody positivity by IIF, confirmed by a second level immunoblot assay; liver histology with typical AIH features; revised and simplified AIH scores indicating definite AIH
October 2018	Ascites resolution. Starting corticosteroid treatment (prednisone 15 mg/day)	Improved but still elevated transaminases after 2 w (3× → 1.8× UNL) and gammaGT (8.5 → 7)
December 2018	Progressive corticosteroid tapering Addition of azathioprine 50 mg/day	Stable liver enzymes (ALT 1.6× UNL: gammaGT 6.5×)
April 2019	Stable disease with prednisone 7.5 mg/day and azathioprine increased to 100 mg/day	ALT 1.3× UNL GammaGT 8× UNL Liver stiffness of 22.8 kPa
June 2019	Magnetic resonance cholangiography because of persistent gammaGT elevation	no bile duct stones or biliary obstruction
December 2019	Urinary sepsis due to Streptococcus Pneumoniae	Immunosuppressive treatment withdrawal
January 2020	ALT 3x UNL; gammaGT 9.9× UNL Total bilirubin 2.5 mg/dl IgG 1.8× UNL Child-Pugh B7; MELD 13	Resumption of prednisone 10 mg/day and azathioprine 100 mg/day
June 2020	Sepsis due to Streptococcus Pneumoniae	Immunosuppressive treatment withdrawal Child–Pugh C12
November 2020	Clinical and biochemical re-evaluation prednisone 5 mg/day and azathioprine 50 mg/day	Child–Pugh B8; MELD 14 Transaminases 1.6× UNL gammaGT 6.8× UNL

summarizes the clinical history of the patient with the trend of her laboratory parameters.

Currently, the patient is clinically stable, liver disease appears to be compensated, but transaminases are fluctuating (1.5–2× UNL), and the disease activity does not seem to be affected by immunosuppressive therapy, which cannot be further increased due to the risk of infectious complications. Unfortunately, depending on waiting list capabilities, the MELD score has never been so deteriorated to allow LT.

3. Discussion

In our opinion, this case report features at least three aspects of clinical relevance. First, the patient presented a clinical onset of AIH-2 in adulthood with decompensated cirrhosis. The patient is therefore likely to have previously presented a clinical course of “insidious” AIH with the development of cirrhosis and its complications over time without any previous signs. This clinical presentation has been described for type 1 AIH but, to our knowledge, has never been previously reported in AIH-2, classically characterized by a clinical onset in childhood [9,10,11,12].

Second, this case emphasizes that the detection of autoantibodies plays a pivotal role in the differential diagnosis of cirrhosis of unknown origin. Both the laboratory personnel and the clinician need to become more familiar with the interpretation of the liver autoimmune serology to derive a maximum benefit for the patient, as recommended by a pivotal paper of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group [16].

According to the IAHG recommendations, anti-LC1 can be detected by IIF using the standard tissue panel, and it stains the cytoplasm of liver cells with relative sparing of the centrilobular area. However, it is usually obscured by the concurrent presence of anti-LKM-1, which stains hepatocyte cytoplasm throughout the lobule [16,17].

Due to the concomitant presence of LKM1 autoantibodies, in our patient LC1 autoantibodies could be only revealed by immunoblot. Therefore, the search for LC1 should also be carried out using second-level, more sensitive diagnostic tools such as immunoblot, which is not affected by the simultaneous positivity of LKM1 that would instead reduce the sensitivity of the IIF.

Since LKM1 and LC1 autoantibodies are classically associated with the pediatric autoimmune hepatitis (AIH-2), the search for these autoantibodies might not be taken into account in adult patients. Our case emphasizes the need to search for autoantibodies of AIH-2 diagnostic relevance, such as LKM1and LC1, in cirrhosis of undetermined etiology in adult patients also, since, even if AIH starts in childhood, the disease could run a chronic course over years, leading into adulthood [18].

A further feature of this case, which is clinically relevant and therefore deserves to be emphasized, is the presence of IgA deficiency, a common finding in patients with AIH-2, as previously reported [19].

The only study addressing the management of decompensated autoimmune cirrhosis was, however, only focused on type 1 AIH patients and compared 64 patients treated with corticosteroids with 18 patients not receiving any corticosteroids; the study showed that survival was greater in the corticosteroid-treated group, with the benefit being greatest in patients with the greatest decrease in total bilirubin at day 7 after starting corticosteroid therapy [20].

Third, this case effectively demonstrates that the decision to establish immunosuppressive therapy is not unequivocal in a cirrhotic patient with a modest histological inflammatory activity. The literature data are heterogeneous and describe both experiences in which the response to immunosuppressive therapy of cirrhotic patients was optimal, with survival similar to that of patients without cirrhosis, and also experiences in which cirrhosis represented a negative prognostic factor both in terms of the response to therapy and in terms of the prognosis "quoad vitam" [12,20,21,22,23,24,25].

The treatment of patients with AIH that has progressed to cirrhosis remains critical unless contraindicated by associated comorbidities. Cirrhosis at diagnosis has been reported to be a predictor of shorter survival and is associated with the need for LT [26]. The finding of inflammatory activity upon biopsy in patients with cirrhosis would require treatment, as a failure to normalize histological inflammation is associated with a lower chance of fibrosis regression and worse overall survival [20,27].

In fact, the improvement of inflammatory activity and fibrosis may explain previous findings of similar survival rates between patients with and without cirrhosis at diagnosis [28].

However, the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on the overall outcome could be minimal at best and may even increase the risk of drug-related side effects [23,29].

On the other hand, current international guidelines would suggest treating all patients with cirrhosis and a degree of histological activity [30].

Our case would thus suggest the need to individualize the therapeutic decision for each patient with AIH and a mild histological activity, evaluating the potential risks resulting from immunosuppressive therapy, such as infections.

Of course, these patients need to be listed primarily for LT, which remains the only viable option for AIH-related cirrhosis [12,25,26].

4. Conclusions

In conclusion, this case clearly shows that AIH-2 can have a clinical onset in adult patients with cirrhosis and its complications without being preceded by major clinical signs.

Due to the difficult management of cirrhosis with immunosuppressive treatments, a multidisciplinary approach may lead to an appropriate diagnosis and management of such difficult cases.

A patient-tailored strategy with a case-by-case approach is needed to prevent major complications such as infections potentially precluding LT, the only curative therapy.