CYCLOSPORINE IN THE TREATMENT OF CORTICOSTEROID RESISTANT AUTOIMMUNE CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS

A 17 year old Asian patient with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis r esistant to treatment with high dose corticosteroids and azathioprine was given cyclosporin at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day. Within two weeks of st arting the cyclosporin treatment a favourable clinical and biochemical response was obtained and by one month serum aminotransferase activit ies were within normal limits. An attempted reduction in the daily dos e of cyclosporin resulted in a relapse of the patient's disease. Remis sion was again attained by returning the dose of cyclosporin to 5 mg/k g/day. No significant side effects of the treatment have been shown. C yclosporin seems to have a role in the treatment of corticosteroid res istant autoimmune chronic active hepatitis and its further evaluation is warranted.