mycophenolic-acid and Celiac-Disease

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent that is used in transplanted patients, with frequent gastrointestinal adverse effects. We report the case of a patient, under chronic therapy with mycophenolate mofetil , during a diagnostic workup for a chronic diarrhea, which presents a duodenal villous atrophy ( VA) with negative celiac serology, which is a diagnostic challenge. VA secondary to MMF is a very unusual adverse effect. Just a few cases have been reported in the literature.

Topics: Adult; Atrophy; Celiac Disease; Duodenum; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Kidney; Mycophenolic Acid; Transplant Recipients

Diarrhoea following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a significant clinical problem associated with mycophenolic acid (MPA). The histological injury pattern associated with MPA in the large bowel is well documented in the literature; however, that in the duodenum is less extensively documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the histological spectrum of duodenal injury specifically in symptomatic OLT patients on MPA, and to compare this with the spectrum in patients with coeliac disease and in normal controls.. We reviewed our pathology database for all duodenal biopsies from patients on the OLT list over a period of 19 years. Medical records, anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA serology and histology were reviewed. Of the 667 patients who underwent endoscopy, 127 had duodenal biopsies (152 biopsies). Of these, 87.5% were normal. Sixteen showed abnormal histology, and seven (43.8%) of these were on MPA at the time of biopsy. Significant features included coeliac-like changes (shortened villi and increased intraepithelial lymphocyte counts), and novel findings included increased endocrine cell counts, apoptotic counts and lamina propria eosinophil counts in comparison with normal duodenal biopsies.. Pathologists should be aware of the features of MPA-associated duodenal injury, including coeliac-like changes and increased apoptotic counts. In those with abnormal histology, discontinuation or a reduction in the dose of MPA should be discussed.

Topics: Aged; Celiac Disease; Diarrhea; Duodenum; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Intestinal Mucosa; Liver Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Mycophenolic Acid; Retrospective Studies

The relationship between liver dysfunction and coeliac disease is well established, ranging from transaminitis to chronic liver disease. In this report, we describe for the first time the development of a 'seronegative' autoimmune hepatitis in a teenager previously diagnosed with coeliac disease. He had normal liver function tests (LFTs) at diagnosis and was strictly compliant with a gluten-free diet. On screening blood tests at 1 year post diagnosis, he presented with raised LFTs leading to a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis on liver biopsy, successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil. By using screening LFTs, we may well have prevented this patient from developing disease complications.

Topics: Adolescent; Celiac Disease; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Mycophenolic Acid

Topics: Alemtuzumab; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Antibodies, Neoplasm; Antineoplastic Agents; Azathioprine; Biopsy; Celiac Disease; Child, Preschool; Coombs Test; Cyclosporine; Diagnosis, Differential; Follow-Up Studies; Glucocorticoids; Hepatitis; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Immunosuppressive Agents; Infant; Liver; Liver Function Tests; Male; Methylprednisolone; Mycophenolic Acid; Prednisone; Rare Diseases; Remission Induction; Rituximab