[Autoimmune hepatitis caused by acute hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus].

We describe the case of a 27-year-old man who presented acute hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus infection. Over the following weeks he consistently presented elevated transaminase levels and jaundice. Antinuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia and periportal necrosis were detected in the liver biopsy. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and responded well to treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. This case, as well as other published reports, suggest that in certain individuals, acute hepatitis A may be the decisive factor leading to autoimmune hepatitis.