Autoimmune hepatitis

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory liver disease with a strong female preponderance, characterized by elevated levels of transaminases and immunoglobulin G (IgG), seropositivity for organ and non-organ-specific autoantibodies, and a histological picture of interface hepatitis. The major pathogenic mechanism is believed to be immune reaction against host liver antigens. AIH responds well to immuno-suppressive treatment. The diagnosis should be made as soon as possible because symptomatic AIH, if left untreated, progresses to liver failure requiring transplantation. The development of a panel of marker autoantibodies has allowed the subdivision of AIH in distinct types, type 1 (AIH-1) being positive for antinuclear (ANA) and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) and type 2 (AIH-2) being positive for anti-liver-kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (anti-LKM-1). © 2007 Humana Press Inc.