Elevation of gamma-glutamyl transferase in adult: Should we think about progressive familiar intrahepatic cholestasis?

Dig Liver Dis

Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar do Porto - Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal; Liver and Pancreatic Transplantation Unit, Centro Hospitalar do Porto - Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS) - Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Saúde Publica da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP) - Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Published: February 2016

Background: There are three types of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). Type 3 is characterized by elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and it can be diagnosed in adolescence/adulthood. The genetic defect of PFIC 3 appears to explain the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Aims: Draw attention to this rare disease, especially in adulthood, and clarify the association between ICP and PFIC 3.

Results: We describe a series of cases from a Portuguese northern family with two brothers presenting chronic cholestasis since adolescence. Brother 1: since 15-years-old with pruritus and elevated γ-GT ∼6x. Brother 2: pre-term, due to severe maternal pruritus and jaundice, since 13-years-old with pruritus, jaundice and ∼8x γ-GT elevation. Common causes of cholestasis were excluded and liver histologies were nonspecific. Research for mutation on ABCB4 gene showed mutations in both alleles.

Conclusion: Disease and mechanisms that determine cholestasis are complex and their understanding may provide new therapeutics.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dld.2015.11.002DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

gamma-glutamyl transferase
8
intrahepatic cholestasis
8
pruritus jaundice
8
cholestasis
5
elevation gamma-glutamyl
4
transferase adult
4
adult progressive
4
progressive familiar
4
familiar intrahepatic
4
intrahepatic cholestasis?
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!