A Rare Case of Autoimmune Enteropathy Associated with Autoimmune Hepatitis

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman was admitted for weight loss, abdominal pain and diarrhea for a year. Blood tests showed elevated transaminases, cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia. Capsule endoscopy revealed extensively scattered lymphangiectasias, shortened villi and erosions in the jejunum and ileum. The histological examination of the small bowel mucosa biopsies evidenced severe mucosal atrophy and crypt hyperplasia, without significant intraepithelial lymphocytosis. The clinical picture, lack of response to a gluten-free diet and endoscopic and histopathologic findings were compatible with autoimmune enteropathy. Simultaneously, autoimmune hepatitis was also diagnosed. The patient showed significant improvement after starting treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine. To our knowledge, this is the first case of autoimmune enteropathy diagnosed simultaneously with autoimmune hepatitis.