Autoimmune Hepatitis Following Vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 in Korea: Coincidence or Autoimmunity?

J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Apr 18;37(15):e116. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e116.

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, autoimmune disease of the liver that occurs when the body's immune system attacks liver cells, causing the liver to be inflamed. AIH is one of the manifestations of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as an adverse event occurring after vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Few cases of AIH have been described after vaccination with two messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines-BTN162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna)-against SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we report a case of AIH occurring after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. A 27-year-old female presented with jaundice and hepatomegaly, appearing 14 days after receiving the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Her laboratory results showed abnormal liver function with high total immunoglobulin G level. She was diagnosed with AIH with histologic finding and successfully treated with oral prednisolone. We report an AIH case after COVID-19 vaccination in Korea.

Keywords: Autoimmune Hepatitis; Coronavirus Disease 2019; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoimmunity
  • BNT162 Vaccine
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / adverse effects
  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune* / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune* / etiology
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination / adverse effects
  • mRNA Vaccines

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • mRNA Vaccines
  • BNT162 Vaccine