RESUMO
Autoimmune diseases may be associated with chronic viral hepatitis though the nature of the association is not clearly understood. Immune mediated response against viral antigens expressed on the hepatocytes may explain the liver damage in chronic viral infection. Associated diseases with chronic viral hepatitis such as glomerulonephritis, vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis could be induced by immunological mechanisms including viral antigen-antibody production and circulating immune complex deposition. However, other diseases [autoimmune thyroiditis, TCP and Sjogren's syndrome] may be autoantigen mediated. The present study reviews the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis and the role of molecular mimicry so as to try to answer the questions; Can hepatotropic viruses induce autoimmune diseases 1:320, positive thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid dysfunction and thrombocytopenia; immunosuppression may be justified. Low dose of steroids or cyclosporin-A or a combination of lower doses or Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil. Viral activation should be observed. If both viral infection and autoimmune features are predominating; a short course of immunosuppression [2 weeks] is given followed by Interferon