Postinfectious Autoimmune Hepatitis-Induced Liver Failure: A Consequence of Hepatitis A Virus Infection

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated hepatic pathology of unclear etiology. The mechanisms initiating and driving autoimmune inflammation of the liver and the loss of hepatic tolerance are still elusive. Several studies have documented the involvement of genetic factors and triggering agents such as toxic injury, treatment with immune-modifying drugs, or previous viral infections with perhaps strongest evidence for the hepatitis C virus. Rarely, AIH has been reported to develop after hepatitis A virus infection. We describe a case of de novo AIH in a patient with a history of recent hepatitis A virus infection.