Hepatitis-associated Aplastic Anemia with Rapid Progression of Liver Fibrosis Due to Repeated Hepatitis

Intern Med. 2020 Apr 15;59(8):1035-1040. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.4072-19. Epub 2019 Dec 26.

Abstract

Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) is a variant of acquired aplastic anemia and characterized by bone marrow failure that follows the development of acute hepatitis. We herein report a rare case of HAAA with rapid progression of liver fibrosis due to repeated hepatitis. A pathological examination of liver specimens revealed liver fibrosis progression over a short period. Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine effectively cured both the pancytopenia and hepatitis. Our case suggests that the pathological examination of the liver tissue is useful for determining a treatment plan and that immunosuppressive therapy is a promising treatment for both aplastic anemia and persistent hepatitis.

Keywords: hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia; liver fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Aplastic / drug therapy
  • Anemia, Aplastic / etiology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Hepatitis / complications*
  • Hepatitis / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications*
  • Male

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents