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Head Cold Led To Rashes, Joint Pain And Swelling. Strep Titer High. Viral Strep? Related To High Liver Enzymes And High Iron Serum?
Question: Became sick with head cold three weeks later developed rash, 102 temp and significant joint swelling for which I was hospitalized and rheumatologist consulted because positive XXXXXXX family history of lupus and high liver enzymes. Family doctor said my strep titer was high so she thinks cause is viral strep. Today received liver b/w results that show high m2 antibody (26.8) and high iron serum (161) which I read is consistent with PBC. In hospital had sonogram of all XXXXXXX organs and a TEE of heart which were all normal. All three conditions have the same symptoms so I'm confused.
Hi,
Family history of lupus, all started with viral infection (headache, cold and fever) plus high liver enzymes are going in favor of autoimmune hepatitis.
Most autoimmune diseases are asymptomatic initially, later precipitated by viral infection or certain toxins to liver, which hints a clinician to investigate further.
Out of varieties of AIH ( Autoimmune hepatitis), let us talk one by one:
PBC (primary biliary cirrhosis) patients present with fatigue, itching, jaundice, dark urine. This is a slow presentation. Your symptoms appear to be sudden in onset within couple of weeks and no apparent jaundice or itching. In PBC, serum Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) blood test are positive and Alkaline phosphatase is elevated. Yes you are right, AMA M2 is specific for PBC.
In Hemosiderosis, serum ferritin, iron levels are elevated.
Lupus can present with rash, joint pain, photo sensitivity, proteins in urine.
Anti-Sm - Most specific antibody for SLE; Anti-dsDNA - High specificity; sensitivity only 70%;lupus anticoagulants and Anticardiolipin antibodies are present.
It is really tough job to determine the cause, the hepatologist should be the right person to do this. Please send the following reports if available:
1) Serum Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)
2) Complete liver function tests
3) serum Iron, ferritin, transferrin
4) Urine analysis
5) Anti-Sm
6) Anti-dsDNA
7) Please type COMPLETE LIVER BIOPSY report
8) HCV, HBsAb
I will be available to add up some information after a correct diagnosis is made.
Family history of lupus, all started with viral infection (headache, cold and fever) plus high liver enzymes are going in favor of autoimmune hepatitis.
Most autoimmune diseases are asymptomatic initially, later precipitated by viral infection or certain toxins to liver, which hints a clinician to investigate further.
Out of varieties of AIH ( Autoimmune hepatitis), let us talk one by one:
PBC (primary biliary cirrhosis) patients present with fatigue, itching, jaundice, dark urine. This is a slow presentation. Your symptoms appear to be sudden in onset within couple of weeks and no apparent jaundice or itching. In PBC, serum Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) blood test are positive and Alkaline phosphatase is elevated. Yes you are right, AMA M2 is specific for PBC.
In Hemosiderosis, serum ferritin, iron levels are elevated.
Lupus can present with rash, joint pain, photo sensitivity, proteins in urine.
Anti-Sm - Most specific antibody for SLE; Anti-dsDNA - High specificity; sensitivity only 70%;lupus anticoagulants and Anticardiolipin antibodies are present.
It is really tough job to determine the cause, the hepatologist should be the right person to do this. Please send the following reports if available:
1) Serum Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)
2) Complete liver function tests
3) serum Iron, ferritin, transferrin
4) Urine analysis
5) Anti-Sm
6) Anti-dsDNA
7) Please type COMPLETE LIVER BIOPSY report
8) HCV, HBsAb
I will be available to add up some information after a correct diagnosis is made.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just to clarify. I had itching when the fever appeared with the joint swelling. I still have the itching but it is better. Also, only the AMA and iron serum were elevated. All other liver tests were normal including alkaline phosphatase, AST and ALT. Extreme fatigue was helped with Celebrex but can't take it now with steroids. Extreme fatigue with mental fuzziness is main complaint now.
Hi ,
Thanks for the follow up ,
Well the M2 alone raised with no apparent clinical illness and also the serum iron not being too high i would still not consider any chance of PBC here. Well if in viral infections the Celebrex you had will work well and the extreme fatigue and the itching are also typical.
I would ask you to continue the medication with good rest for next one week and get the tests repeated .The readings of the antibodies now may not be much reliable due to added effect of stress.
Wish you good health.
Thanks for the follow up ,
Well the M2 alone raised with no apparent clinical illness and also the serum iron not being too high i would still not consider any chance of PBC here. Well if in viral infections the Celebrex you had will work well and the extreme fatigue and the itching are also typical.
I would ask you to continue the medication with good rest for next one week and get the tests repeated .The readings of the antibodies now may not be much reliable due to added effect of stress.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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