Synchronized disappearance of serum HCV-RNA, anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and anti-Scl-70 in a patient with chronic hepatitis

The authors report a rare case of chronic hepatitis in whom normalization o f serum aminotransferases was associated with disappearance of serum hepati tic C virus (HCV)-ribonucleic acid (RNA), anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and an ti-Scl-70 antibodies without treatment of interferon or corticosteroids. A 27-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, with pos itive anti-nuclear antibody, anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and anti-Scl-70 ant ibodies. Histopathologic examination of a liver biopsy specimen showed a pe riportal interface hepatitis with a predominantly lymphoplasmacytic necroin flammatory infiltrate and lobular hepatitis. After two-year treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), serum aminotransferases normalized and serum H CV-RNA, anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and anti-Scl-70 antibodies disappeared. It was unclear whether disappearance of HCV-RNA was spontaneous, due to som e immunomodulating effects of UDCA, or other unknown mechanism, but host im mune response may be associated with HCV elimination. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.