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Seminars in Immunopathology
Published in: Seminars in Immunopathology 3/2009

01-09-2009 | Review

Autoimmune hepatitis

Authors: Diego Vergani, Maria Serena Longhi, Dimitrios P. Bogdanos, Yun Ma, Giorgina Mieli-Vergani

Published in: Seminars in Immunopathology | Issue 3/2009

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Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory liver disease affecting mainly females and characterised histologically by interface hepatitis, biochemically by elevated transaminase levels and serologically by the presence of autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. AIH responds to immunosuppressive treatment, which should be instituted as soon as diagnosis is made. Seropositivity for smooth muscle and/or anti-nuclear antibody defines type 1 AIH, while positivity for liver kidney microsomal type 1 antibody defines type 2 AIH. The aetiology of AIH is unknown, though both genetic and environmental factors are involved in its expression. Immune reactions against host liver antigens are believed to be the major mechanism of liver damage.
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Metadata
Title
Autoimmune hepatitis
Authors
Diego Vergani
Maria Serena Longhi
Dimitrios P. Bogdanos
Yun Ma
Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
Publication date
01-09-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Seminars in Immunopathology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1863-2297
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2300
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-009-0170-7

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