AutoImmune Hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune disease which constitutes 5% of all chronic liver diseases. It is seen mostly in females of 35 to 36 years of age which presents with arthritis, amenorrhoea, hypergammaglobulinemia and extrahepatic menifestations^[1].

It is of three types:-

Type I: AIH show presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA), antismooth muscle antibody, anti F-actin antibody. Immunosuppression is very good.

Type II: AIH is defined by presence of anti liver kidney microsomal antibody (anti LKM Ab). It is seen mostly in younger age group and response to immunosuppression therapy is poor and more likely to progress to cirrhosis^[1].

Type III: AIH is characterized by presence of antibodies against soluble liver antigen (anti SLA Ab) and liver pancreas antigen. ANA and ASMA may also be present hence now not kept in type I AIH. Frequency of Anti SLA AIH varies from 9 - 16%^[2]. Anti SLA have high specificity for AIH because 90% cases anti SLA positive patients have AIH & only 10% have primary biliary cirrhosis. Biochemical remission is achieved in 90% anti SLA positive AIH but relapse is seen in 53% patients after withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs^[2].

  Anti SLA antibody positive patient are mostly DRB1*03 positive and have anti SSA (R0-52) antibody, ANA and ASMA^[3].
  Prolactin is an immune stimulating hormone that stimulates immune complex mediated diseases and organ specific autoimmune diseases especially systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE). Prolactin is secreted by anterior pituitary. Microadenoma of pituitary secreting prolactin with AIH with anti SLA Ab is rare.
  Here we are reporting a case of AIH type II with pituitary microadenoma due to rarity.

Case Report

  A 34 yrs old female came to SS Hospital, BHU with history of jaundice for last 6 months, amenorrhoea, weakness, lactation for last 6 months. She also developed low backache, pain in both lower legs, and gastritis for last 5 months. Patient was not pregnant and not having any manifestations to suggest SLE or any other autoimmune disease. Clinically she was suspected case of AIH.

  Her viral profile of HbsAg, anti HAV IgM, antiHBVIgM and anti HCV IgG was negative. Liver function test revealed elevated SGPT 131U/L, SGPT 222U/L and alkaline phosphatase 314U/L. Her immunological test revealed that antibody to F-actin and soluble liver antigens (SLA) were positive. Anti nuclear antibody was also strongly positive but dsDNA antibody was negative. Anti thyroid peroxidase antibody was negative.

  She had polyclonal hypergamma globulinemia [serum IgG 1997.90 mg/dl (normal 700 - 1600 mg/dl), serum IgM 413.34 mg/dl (normal 20 -230 mg/dl) and serum IgA 498.64 mg/dl (normal 70 - 400 mg/dl ).]

  In thyroid function test botthT3 and T4 were on higher side of normal range. T3 was 2.30 (normal 0.92 to 2.33), T4 was 20.4 (normal 10 to 19.4) and TSH was 1.91 (normal 0.25 to 5.0). Her CT Head showed ill defined subcenimetric soft tissue density lesion s/o microadenoma of pituitary and her prolactin level was also high i.e. 60 mg/l (normal 10-25 mg/l).
  Finally she was diagnosed as a case of AIH with microadenoma of pituitary and treatment was started.

Discussion

  Prolactin is a hormone synthesized in lactotrope and pituitary tumor present in anterior pituitary. This maintains lactation, decreases folliculogenesis and granulosa cell aromatase enzyme hence produces amenorrhoea and decreases reproductive functions^[4]. Prolactin also have immune regulatory effect^[5]. Cells of the immune system synthesizes this hormone and also have receptors for cytokines secreted by immune cells like IL-1, IL-6, IFN gamma, TNF, platelet activation factor and substance P participate in the release of prolactin which act on lymphocyte.

  Prolactin act as co-mitogen with concanavlin A and induces IL-2 receptor on the surface of lymphocyte. It stimulates ornithine decarboxylase and activates protein kinase C which helps in differentiation, proliferation and function of lymphocyte.

  Hyperprolactinemia is found In certain autoimmune diseases like SLE, Fibromyalgia, and Rheumatoid arthriris^[6].

  Prolactinoma (a prolactin secreting tumour) have been found associated with autoimmune diseases. A study from Turkey have found that patients of prolactinoma have nodules in thyroid gland and autoimmune thyroid diseases^[7].

  There are few reports to suggest that hyperprolactinemia occurs in SLE patients and these patients have high incidence of anemia and serositis^[8,9].

  A study from Mexico reported that 25% of SLE patients displayed hyperprolactinemia, there lymphocytes showed increased CD69 expression and produced prolactin when cultured invitro^[10].

  In our case patient had typical feature of autoimmune hepatitis because she had arthralgia, jaundice, hepatomegaly, amenorrhea and her anti SLA, F-actin and ANA was positive but there was no any other feature suggestive of SLE or any other autoimmune disease. Lactation without pregnancy could be explained by hyperprolactinemia. Associations of AIH with primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis have been described^[2]. Association of AIH with organ specific polyglandular autoimmune disease have also been found due to defect in autoimmune regulatory gene (AIRE) but no association with microadenoma of pituitary and hyperprolactinemia have been described^[1].

  Probably we are the first who are reporting AIH with F-actin, ANA and anti-SLA Ab in 34 yrs old lady with prolactin secreting adenoma of pituitary gland.

Acknowledgment
  We are thankful to UGC advanced Immunodiagnostic training and research centre, IMS, BHU for financial support.

References