title: [Differential chronic hepatitis diagnosis].
abstract: Chronic hepatitis comprises a group of disorders of the liver exhibiting a chronic necroinflammatory process that differs in etiology, clinical course and treatment strategies. A diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is usually made when inflammation and liver cell necrosis persist for longer than 6 months. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic patients to those with advanced hepatic failure. Both sexes and all age groups are affected. Chronic hepatitis may emerge as a sequelae of hepatitis C and less often after hepatitis B. Both diseases are treatable and require rapid and exact diagnosis. The differential diagnosis must exclude autoimmune hepatitis, chronic steatohepatitis, congenital metabolic hepatopathies and drug-induced hepatopathies. Laboratory tests, histologic investigations and clinical differential diagnosis must exclude other causes of chronic liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Stammzelltransplantation, 2. Medizinische Abteilung des Donauspitals, SMZ-Ost der Stadt Wien, Langobardenstrasse 122, A-1220 Wien. wolfgang.hinterberger@smz.magwien.gv.at
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hinterberger
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Differentialdiagnose der chronischen Hepatitiden.