HFE hemochromatosis and hepatic sarcoid

Am J Med Sci. 2009 May;337(5):386-90. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318191ed17.

Abstract

A 57-year-old white woman had serum ferritin 793 ng/mL, HFE C282Y homozygosity, elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, 3+ hepatocyte iron, cirrhosis, hepatic granulomas, and portal hypertension. Her 37-year-old son had ferritin 869 ng/mL, C282Y/wt, elevated ACE levels, 2+ hepatocyte iron, bridging fibrosis, and hepatic granulomas. Her daughters had HFE C282Y/H63D and C282Y/wt, respectively; neither had a hemochromatosis phenotype, sarcoid, or severe liver disease. All 4 subjects had nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis. Sarcoid did not segregate with the human leukocyte antigen-A and -B haplotype shared by the proband, her son, and 1 daughter. Phlebotomy to achieve iron depletion in the proband and her son yielded 1.6 and 1.5 g iron, respectively; their ACE levels remained elevated. We reviewed previous reports of 4 patients with hemochromatosis and sarcoid. We conclude that a combination of sarcoid, steatosis, and excessive hepatocyte iron caused cirrhosis or hepatic fibrosis in the proband and her son.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Family Health
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / complications
  • Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Fibrosis / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Granuloma / complications*
  • Granuloma / diagnosis*
  • Granuloma / genetics
  • Hemochromatosis / complications*
  • Hemochromatosis / diagnosis*
  • Hemochromatosis / genetics
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Diseases / complications*
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Liver Diseases / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoidosis / complications*
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoidosis / genetics