Overlap of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis: Characteristics,therapy, and long term outcomes

Background: Coexistence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is referred to as PBC‐AIH overlap. Pathogenesis of PBC‐AIH is not well understood and its diagnosis is challenging. We previously reported the clinical characteristics of 10 patients diagnosed with PBC‐AIH overlap. Aims: The aim of the study was extend the earlier series and evaluate the diagnostic criteria, biological characteristics, potential therapy, and long‐term outcomes of patients with PBC‐AIH overlap. Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, biochemical, and histological characteristics of 144 patients diagnosed with PBC and 73 diagnosed with AIH. We identified 16 cases of PBC‐AIH overlap, according to criteria established by Chazouillères et al. and other studies. PBC preceded AIH in 6 patients and both diseases occurred simultaneously in the remaining 10 patients. PBC‐AIH overlap has clinical, biochemical, and histological characteristics of both PBC and AIH. Thirteen patients treated with both ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and immunosuppressive therapy responded well, with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. The remaining three patients treated with either prednisolone (PSL) or UDCA alone developed cirrhosis, varices, ascites, encephalopathy, or died of liver‐related causes at the 5, 12, and 14‐year follow up. Conclusions: PBC‐AIH overlap is not a rare entity; it was observed in 11% of PBC patients in this study. Further studies will be required to investigate whether PBC‐AIH overlap is distinct from the two individual diseases in terms of long‐term outcomes and therapeutic implications.     

自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床特征及疗效观察

目的观察自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化(AIH-PBC)重叠综合征的临床特征及治疗效果。方法研究1:回顾分析124例PBC、57例AIH、39例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的临床特征;研究2:根据不同治疗方案对39例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者进行分组疗效分析。结果在220例自身免疫性肝病患者中,AIH-PBC重叠综合征占17.73%。3组患者的性别组成差异无统计学意义,但发病年龄AIH组相似文献   

Overlap syndromes among autoimmune liver diseases

The three major immune disorders of the liver are autoimmune hepatitis（AIH）,primary biliary cirrhosis（PBC） and primary sclerosing cholangitis（PSC）.Variant forms of these diseases are generally called overlap syndromes,although there has been no standardised definition.Patients with overlap syndromes present with both hepatitic and cholestatic serum liver tests and have histological features of AIH and PBC or PSC.The AIH-PBC overlap syndrome is the most common form,affecting almost 10% of adults with AIH or PBC.Single cases of AIH and autoimmune cholangitis（AMA-negative PBC） overlap syndrome have also been reported.The AIH-PSC overlap syndrome is predominantly found in children,adolescents and young adults with AIH or PSC.Interestingly,transitions from one autoimmune to another have also been reported in a minority of patients,especially transitions from PBC to AIH-PBC overlap syndrome.Overlap syndromes show a progressive course towards liver cirrhosis and liver failure without treatment.Therapy for overlap syndromes is empiric,since controlled trials are not available in these rare disorders.Anticholestatic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid is usually combined with immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and/or azathioprine in both AIH-PBC and AIH-PSC overlap syndromes.In end-stage disease,liver transplantation is the treatment of choice.     

A scoring system for primary biliary cirrhosis and its application for variant forms of autoimmune liver disease

Background: Although primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are two independent autoimmune liver diseases, it is sometimes difficult to characterize the variant forms of autoimmune liver disease. A PBC scoring system, in combination with the AIH scoring system may be helpful to characterize such patients. Methods: A PBC scoring system was introduced that selected 14 categories characteristic of PBC. One hundred and thirty-four patients with PBC, 31 patients with autoimmune cholangitis (AIC), 22 patients with overlap syndrome, and 48 patients with AIH were included in the study. The AIC patients fulfilled the PBC criteria but were negative for anti-mitochondrial antibody and positive for anti-nuclear antibody. Overlap syndrome patients fulfilled both the PBC and AIH criteria. Results: The total scores (means ± SD) for the PBC, AIC, overlap syndrome, and AIH patients were 23.3 ± 4.7, 9.3 ± 4.4, 18.0 ± 5.9, and 3.6 ± 3.3, respectively. When definite and probable PBC patients were defined as those with a total score of over 17 and 9–17, respectively, all except for 1 patient could be classified as definite or probable PBC. Four of the 48 AIH patients were classified as probable PBC. PBC scores for the variant autoimmune liver diseases showed a wide deviation. Plotting both PBC and AIH scores in a rectangular coordinate enabled us to locate each patient with variant forms according to the deviation from classical PBC or AIH. Conclusions: The PBC scoring system might be useful in characterizing the features of variant forms of autoimmune liver disease. Received: March 6, 2002 / Accepted: June 14, 2002 Reprint requests to: K. Yamamoto Editorial on page 106     

Development of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with typical primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)-autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by the occurrence of both conditions at the same time in the same patient. In addition to PBC-AIH overlap syndrome, transitions from one autoimmune disease to another have been reported, but no systematic series have been published. We report a series of 12 patients with consecutive occurrence of PBC and AIH (i.e., PBC followed by AIH). Among 282 PBC patients, 39 were identified who fulfilled criteria for probable or definitive AIH. AIH developed in 12 patients (4.3%). The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar to those of patients with classical PBC. Time elapsed between the diagnosis of PBC and the diagnosis of AIH varied from 6 months to 13 years. Patients with multiple flares of hepatitis at the time of diagnosis of AIH had cirrhosis on liver biopsy. Ten patients were given prednisone +/- azathioprine; short-term as well as sustained remissions were obtained in 8 of these, while two had multiple relapses and eventually died 8 and 7 years after diagnosis of AIH. In conclusion, the development of superimposed AIH could not be predicted from baseline characteristics and initial response to UDCA therapy. If not detected early, superimposed AIH can result in rapid progression toward cirrhosis and liver failure in PBC patients.     

原发性胆汁性胆管炎-自身免疫性肝炎重叠综合征的诊治

自身免疫性肝病(AILD)包括原发性胆汁性胆管炎(PBC)、自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)、原发性硬化性胆管炎(PSC)。患者可在初诊时或随访的过程中出现2种AILD的特征,通常将这种情况称为“重叠综合征”,其中以PBC重叠AIH最为常见。与单纯PBC或AIH相比,PBC-AIH重叠综合征门静脉高压、消化道出血、腹水、死亡及肝移植发生率明显升高,病情进展也更迅速,因此,其早诊早治显得尤为重要。对近年PBC-AIH重叠综合征的诊治进展进行综述。     

Clinical and pathological characteristics of the autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The defining of the autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlap syndrome as a separate clinicopathological entity has been controversial and temporally and geographically subjective. METHODS: From 1979 until 2000, 227 patients diagnosed with AIH, PBC or the overlap thereof were treated. Cases with genuine AIH/PBC overlap syndrome were sorted out using close clinical follow up and serial liver biopsies. RESULTS: Of the 227 patients, 19 (8.4%) were diagnosed with the AIH/PBC overlap syndrome. They all cleared a score >10 for the diagnosis of AIH, and tested positive for antimitochondrial antibodies during their courses. Long-term follow up with frequent histological examinations, however, established the diagnosis of AIH/PBC overlap syndrome in only two (0.8%) patients. The most powerful factor distinguishing AIH from PBC was acidophilic bodies in lobules that were detected significantly more frequently in patients with AIH than PBC or spurious overlap syndrome (39/46 [85%]vs 3/85 [4%], P < 0.001). It was more reliable than bile-duct lesions for the distinction of PBC from AIH. CONCLUSIONS: Although AIH/PBC overlap syndrome does exist, it is infrequent and needs to be diagnosed carefully using close clinical and histological follow up to enable timely and effective treatment.     

Primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome: therapeutic features in 5 patients

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are two different liver diseases, however diagnosis criteria of these two affections can be found in a same patient. The aim of this study is to relate the clinical, serologic and histologic features of patients presenting the overlap syndrome, AIH-PBC, defined by the presence of at least of two main criteria of each disease and to evaluate their response to therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study concerning patients presenting overlap syndrome diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2001. These patients had been treated with ursodesoxycholic acid (AUDC) or prednisone and azathioprine or a combination of these three products. Clinical and biological criteria were used to assess response to therapy. RESULTS: Five patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of overlap syndrome. All patients were females, the median age was 38 years (range: 19-65 years). Three patients were treated by UDCA, a clinical and biological response was noted in only one patient. Two patients were treated by prednisone and azathioprine without any remission. Three patients were treated by a combination of these three products with a good response in two cases. CONCLUSION: Optimal treatment for overlap AIH-PBC syndrome remains to be determined. Treatment with UDCA or immunosuppressor alone is not efficient. A combination of these drugs should be evaluated in further studies.     

自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汗性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床特点及诊断分析

目的：分析自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）重叠综合征患者临床特点、实验室结果、诊断正确率及时长。方法选取2009年1月至2013年6月经过肝活组织病理检查明确诊断为AIH-PBC重叠综合征的患者53例,对照组为AIH及PBC患者各53例。对患者的临床表现、实验室结果及入院后诊断情况进行回顾分析。正态分布的定量资料采用单因素方差分析对各组间进行比较,两两比较采用SNK-q检验。定性资料采用R ×C列联表法进行各组间比较,两两比较采用Scheffe可信区间法。结果53例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者ALT为（173．65±52．08）U/L,血清TBil为（38．07±6．82）μmol/L,ALP为（293．81±28．89）U/L,GGT为（57．57±78．84）U/L。其中ALP较两个对照组差异有统计学意义;血清免疫球蛋白IgM为（3．33±2．12） g/L,较两个对照组差异具有统计学意义。自身抗体中抗线粒体抗体M2亚型（AMA-M2）（27/53）较两对照组差异具有统计学意义;未经肝活组织检查诊断正确率（52．83％）最低、入院后明确诊断需要时间最长[（8±7．7）d]。结论 AIH-PBC 重叠综合征临床表现更类似于PBC,但生化检查结果更类似于AIH,AIH-PBC 重叠综合征兼有AIH和PBC的双重特点。     

Overlap syndromes

In hepatology, the term overlap syndrome describes variant forms of the major hepatobiliary autoimmune diseases, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Patients with overlap syndromes present with both hepatitic and cholestatic biochemical and histological features of AIH, PBC, and/or PSC, and usually show a progressive course toward liver cirrhosis and liver failure without adequate treatment. AIH-PBC overlap syndromes have been reported in almost 10% of adults with AIH or PBC, whereas AIH-PSC overlap syndromes were found in 6 to 8% of children, adolescents, and young adults with AIH or PSC. A minority of patients may also show transition from stable PBC to AIH, AIH to PBC, or AIH to PSC, as documented by single case reports and small case series. Single cases of AIH and autoimmune cholangitis (antimitochondrial antibody-negative PBC) overlap have also been reported. Empiric medical treatment of AIH-PBC and AIH-PSC overlap syndromes includes anticholestatic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid and immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and azathioprine. In end-stage disease, liver transplantation is the treatment of choice.     

PBC-AIH重叠综合征临床与病理特征:一项回顾性研究

目的 通过回顾性分析研究比较原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)-自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)重叠综合征与单纯的PBC患者的临床、生化和免疫学指标以及组织学特征.方法 经我院诊断的PBC患者按目前的PBC诊断标准再评估,共计48例入选.同时用修订的国际自身免疫性肝炎协作组(International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group,IAIH-G)积分系统进行评估积分,对于AMA阳性且治疗前积分至少达到10分者,定义为PBC-AIH重叠综合征.对两组病人的临床表现、生化和免疫学指标以及组织学特征进行分析.结果 17例患者(女性占16例)为PBC-AIH重叠综合征,31例(女性占30例)不具有重叠AIH的特点为单纯PBC.PBC-AIH重叠综合征最常见的临床表现为乏力或疲劳(58.8%)、纳差(23.5%)及黄疸(23.5%).与PBC患者相比,重叠综合征患者在确诊时的平均年龄、免疫球蛋白IgM、血清ALP和GGT水平无统计学差异;而血清转氨酶水平(ALT和AST分别为:165.0±25.9 vs 87.1±8.7、177.5±32.3 vs 86.3±10.9,P均<0.01)、球蛋白和IgG水平显著升高.组织学分析提示,所有的重叠综合征患者存在中-重度界面性肝炎或碎屑样坏死,82.4%的患者存在肝细胞玫瑰花环样改变,64.7%的患者同时存在胆管病变.结论 PBC-AIH重叠综合征患者血清转氨酶水平和IgG水平明显高于单纯PBC患者,组织学主要特征为中.重度界面性肝炎、肝细胞玫瑰花环样改变以及同时伴有胆管病变.     

Overlap syndromes with autoimmune hepatitis in chronic cholestatic liver diseases

Conditions exhibiting features of two different autoimmune liver diseases are commonly designated overlap syndromes, although there is no current agreement on what constitutes an overlap syndrome or specific diagnostic criteria. As in the classic autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the etiology is unknown but presumed to be related to alterations of immune regulation. Distinction of these clinical entities is important for management as outcomes may differ from outcomes of patients with diagnosis of classic autoimmune liver diseases. Due to their presumed rarity, no large therapeutic trials are available and treatment of overlap conditions is empirical and based upon extrapolation of data from the primary autoimmune liver diseases. PBC–AIH overlap is the most frequently described overlap syndrome and may be associated with a poor prognosis. This may represent an important and unrecognized cause of resistance to ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with PBC. PSC–AIH overlap is less commonly reported. Prognosis may be better than in patients with PSC alone; however, worse than in patients with AIH alone. Further studies are needed for determining diagnosis, natural history and optimal therapeutic strategies of overlap syndromes of autoimmune liver disease.     

Primary biliary cirrhosis - Autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome: A rationale for corticosteroids use based on a nation-wide retrospective study in Japan

Aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may simultaneously coexist in some patients, designated as PBC‐AIH overlap syndrome. Previous studies suggest that combination therapy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and corticosteroids may be effective. In the current study, we aimed to describe clinical features of these cases and to propose a rationale for combination treatment in PBC‐AIH overlap. Methods: We enrolled patients with PBC‐AIH overlap from eight referral centers for liver diseases in Japan, and clinical, biochemical and immunological features were examined. Liver histology of all patients at diagnosis were analyzed altogether in detail. Eighty‐nine and 44 patients with PBC and AIH alone were included and served as controls. Results: We identified 33 patients with PBC‐AIH overlap. The mean follow‐up period was 6.1 years. On liver histology, the HA (hepatitis activity) score was significantly higher than the CA (cholangitis activity) score (P < 0.001). At the end of the follow‐up period, corticosteroids were used in 23 patients (72%), and neither liver‐related death nor liver transplantation had been noted. The sensitivity and specificity of the simplified AIH scoring system for prediction of patients who required corticosteroids during clinical course was 92% and 75% in the training set (n = 17), and 91% and 80% in the validation set (n = 16) of overlap. Only 3% of PBC patients were diagnosed as having indication for corticosteroid use. Conclusion: In PBC‐AIH overlap, AIH‐like features are dominant in liver histology. The simplified AIH scoring system could predict patients who needed corticosteroids with a higher specificity.     

Risk factors for cancer in patients with primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome

Introduction and objectivesPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and PBC overlap syndrome (AIH/PBC) have been associated with a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and extra-hepatic malignancy (EHM). This study aims to assess potential risk factors associated with cancer development in PBC and AIH/PBC.Materials and methodsThe Brazilian Cholestasis Study Group database was reviewed to compare clinical and laboratory features of PBC patients with HCC and EHM with those without cancer.ResultsAmong the 752 PBC patients enrolled, 64 of them with AIH/PBC, 87 cancers were identified in 72 patients, including 20 cases of HCC and 67 of EHM. Patients with HCC had a higher prevalence of cirrhosis (95% vs. 32.5% of those subjects without cancer, p≤0.001), smoking (55% vs. 12.3%, p≤0.001), CREST syndrome (30% vs 7.6%, p=0.003) and prior azathioprine (30% vs 8%, p= 0.005) and prednisone (35% vs 14%, p= 0.018) use, whereas patients with EHM had a higher prevalence of smoking (42.3% vs 12.4% of those subjects without cancer, p= <0.001), AMA positivity (96.6% vs 80.1%, p≤0.001), azathioprine therapy (21% vs 7.9%, p= 0.01) and concurrent other autoimmune diseases. In multivariate analysis, cirrhosis, obesity and prior azathioprine therapy were independent risk factors for HCC, while Sjogren syndrome and psoriasis were associated with EHM. Fibrates reduced EHM risk.ConclusionsThe prevalence of EHM is higher when compared to HCC in PBC patients. Cirrhosis, obesity, prior azathioprine use, and concurrent autoimmune diseases were significantly associated with cancer in PBC.     

中晚期自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床病理研究

目的探讨中晚期自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（AIH-PBC）重叠综合征的临床病理特征及治疗直答。方法对具有肝穿刺标本的11例PBC-AIH重叠综合征和13例PBC（Seheuer分期3、4期）患者进行比较，重点分析AIH-PBC重叠综合征的临床、病理特点及治疗应答。结果两组患者的性别、年龄、病程、症状无显著差异；AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、γ-球蛋白、免疫球蛋白IgG以及抗核抗体或抗平滑肌抗体阳性率明显高于PBC（P〈0．05）。肝组织学见汇管区与肝腺泡内以单个核细胞为主的较多炎细胞浸润，其中易见浆细胞的聚积性浸润。可见不同时期小胆管损伤或毛细胆管反应性增生并侵蚀肝界板；重叠综合征患者经熊去氧胆酸治疗可使肝功能改善，与PBC患者无明显差异。结论中晚期AIH-PBC重叠综合征临床、血清学及组织病理学表现出AIH和PBC双重特征，UDCA治疗有助于血生化指标的改善。     

自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征患者的临床特点

目的 了解自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)、原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)重叠综合征的临床特点。方法 对129例自身免疫性肝病患者的临床资料进行回顾分析,按国际评分标准,诊断AIH/PBC重叠综合征,并将其生物化学、自身抗体、肝穿刺结果与单纯的AIH、PBC患者病例资料比较。 结果 129例自身免疫性肝病患者中35例为AIH/PBC重叠综合征患者,占27.1％,以女性患者为主,男女比例为1:10,平均年龄(50.79±11.27)岁,其实验室检查具有AIH患者的特点,如:氨基转移酶、γ 球蛋白、免疫球蛋白G的明显升高,同时也具有PBC的特点,如:碱性磷酸酶、免疫球蛋白M的显著增高,自身抗体检测可见抗核抗体(74.3％)、抗线粒体抗体(68.6％)、M2抗体(45.7％)阳性;肝穿刺结果有界面坏死、浆细胞浸润及胆管不同程度的损害。 结论 AIH/PBC重叠综合征为独立于AIH、PBC存在的疾病,有必要对此及早诊断,寻找有效的治疗方法。     

自身免疫性肝炎、原发性胆汁性胆管炎及其重叠综合征患者临床特征比较*

目的 比较自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)、原发性胆汁性胆管炎(PBC)和AIH/PBC重叠综合征(AIH/PBC OS)患者临床特征的异同。方法 2017年12月～2019年2月南通市第三人民医院收治的92例自身免疫性肝病患者中包括AIH 35例、PBC 30例和AIH/PBC OS 27例,记录临床表现和血液化验资料并比较三组的异同。结果 AIH、PBC和AIH/PBC OS患者年龄、性别、体质指数和病程比较,无显著性差异(P>0.05);三组乏力、腹胀、纳差、发热和皮肤瘙痒发生率无显著性差异(P>0.05);PBC和AIH/PBC OS患者黄疸更深,血清ALP和GGT水平更高,而AIH患者血清ALT和AST水平更高 (P<0.05);AIH患者凝血功能指标TT显著长于其他两组(P<0.05);AIH患者外周血Hb水平显著低于其他两组(P<0.05);AIH患者血清ASMA阳性率为14.3%,显著高于其他两组的0.0%和0.0%(P<0.05),PBC和AIH/PBC OS患者血清AMA/AMA-M2阳性率分别为93.3%和92.6%,而AIH患者为0.0%(P<0.05);三组血清免疫球蛋白水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),三组合并甲状腺功能亢进、系统性红斑狼疮、干燥综合征、类风湿性关节炎、2型糖尿病和慢性肾小球肾炎方面差异,也无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 AIH、PBC和AIH/PBC OS患者具有相似的临床症状和体征,但血生化指标、自身抗体表现各有特征,了解这些特征对临床提高诊断和治疗水平将有很大的帮助。     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化和自身免疫性肝炎重叠综合征的临床与病理分析

目的 分析原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)和自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)重叠综合征(PBC/AIH重叠综合征)患者的临床表现、肝组织病理学特征。 方法 采用国际自身免疫性肝炎小组新修订的描述性诊断标准和计分系统,从68例PBC患者中筛选出9例PBC/AIH重叠综合征患者,分析比较PBC/AIH重叠综合征和单纯PHC患者的临床表现、肝组织病理学特征。 结果 68例PBC患者中,PBC/AIH重叠综合征9例,单纯PBC 59例,分别占13.2％和86.8％,PBC/AIH重叠综合征血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、γ-球蛋白、免疫球蛋白G,以及抗平滑肌抗体和(或)抗核抗体阳性率明显高于单纯PBC;PBC/AIH重叠综合征合并其他自身免疫性疾病发生率亦明显高于单纯PBC;PBC/AIH重叠综合征兼有PBC和AIH的双重组织学特点,显示界面炎和碎屑样坏死,肝组织免疫荧光检测显示肝细胞膜、汇管区有免疫球蛋白G沉着。 结论 PBC/AIH重叠综合征表现出A·IH和PBC双重特征,不同于单纯的PBC,两者的临床表现、免疫学及肝组织病理学特征上有差异。     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化／自身免疫性肝炎重叠综合征患者的临床和病理学研究

目的分析原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）、自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）和PBC／AIH重叠综合征患者的临床和病理学特点。方法对105例自身免疫性肝病患者的临床资料进行分析,比较PBC／AIH重叠综合征和单纯PBC或AIH患者的临床表现和肝组织病理学变化。结果在105例患者中,包括11例PBC／AIH重叠综合征、60例PBC、33例AIH和1例原发性硬化性胆管炎（PSC）。PBC／AIH重叠综合征与PBC或AIH患者的性别、年龄、症状和并发症无明显差异（P〉0．05）,其实验室检查具有AIH的特点,如血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、免疫球蛋白IgG的明显升高,同时具有PBC的特点,如GGT、ALP、免疫球蛋白IgM的显著增高,但与PBC或AIH相比,无统计学差异（P〉0．05）;自身抗体检测可见抗核抗体、抗线粒体M2抗体和抗核心蛋白gP210抗体阳性,后两项抗体检出率明显高于AIH患者（P〈0．01）;肝组织病理学检查结果显示,PBC／AIH重叠综合征兼有PBC和AIH的特点,如界面炎和碎屑样坏死,汇管区浆细胞浸润,胆管不同程度的病变等。结论PBC／AIH重叠综合征的临床表现和肝组织病理学具有PBC和AIH的双重特征,应对此病充分认识,并探索有效的治疗方案。     

Overlap syndromes from pediatrics to adulthood

Abstract   Overlap syndromes are autoimmune conditions with mixed immunological, clinical and histological features. The most frequent overlaps are between primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and between AIH and sclerosing cholangitis (SC). True AIH/PBC overlap syndrome is rare and characterized by elevation of transaminases and immunoglobulin G (IgG), positive anti-smooth muscle antibodies and a liver biopsy showing interface hepatitis as well as changes typical of PBC. These patients respond to immunosuppressive treatment that must be given promptly, to avoid progression to liver failure. The so-called 'autoimmune cholangitis' defines a small group of patients with cholestatic and histological features of PBC but negative for anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) and positive for PBC-specific anti-nuclear antibody (ANA). The positivity for ANA in these patients is a consequence of the AMA negativity, since AMA masks ANA on immunofluorescence. These patients' clinical course and response to treatment resemble that of classical PBC. AIH/ASC overlap syndrome is characterised by elevated levels of IgG and circulating autoantibodies, including ANA, SMA and atypical perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, in association with cholangiographic changes typical of SC. This condition affects in particular children and young adults and may represent the early stage of adult primary SC. The parenchymal liver inflammation responds satisfactorily to immunosuppression, while the bile duct damage may progress despite treatment.