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Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology logoLink to Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology
. 2011 Aug 26;1(1):41–44. doi: 10.1016/S0973-6883(11)60116-3

Association between Celiac Disease and Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Ashish Garg 1, Chandrasekhar Reddy 1, Ajay Duseja 1, Yogesh Chawla 1, Radha K Dhiman 1,*
PMCID: PMC3940363  PMID: 25755310

Abstract

Celiac disease affects the proximal small intestine and is caused by a local immune response to dietary gluten. Celiac disease usually presents with chronic diarrhea; however, presentations with elevated hepatic transaminase levels in blood or with iron-deficiency anemia have been described. Celiac disease has been reported to be associated with autoimmune liver diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can also initiate autoimmune disease process. Therefore, HCV infection and celiac disease may occur together. Here, we describe 4 cases of celiac disease associated with chronic hepatitis C. This small case series indicates that chronic HCV infection and celiac disease are not causally associated.

Keywords: Autoimmune disease, celiac disease, hepatitis C virus infection

Abbreviations: AEA, anti-endomysial antibodies; AGA, antigliadin antibodies; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HLA, human leukocyte antigen; Ig, immunoglobulin; RNA, ribonucleic acid; WBC, white blood cell

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