title: Autoimmune hepatitis.
abstract: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a necro-inflammatory disease that, untreated, carries a 3-year mortality rate of approximately 50%. In this last of a series of three articles, current knowledge regarding AIH is reviewed. The mode of presentation of AIH is variable: insidious onset with few if any symptoms, presenting with symptoms indistinguishable from that of any acute viral hepatitis, or onset with fulminate hepatitis. In AIH, hepatocytes become injured by various agents (such as a viral infection) and become antigenic, leading to a self-perpetuating antigen-antibody response with subsequent chronic liver disease. AIH is the only type of hepatitis that is responsive to corticosteroids. Occasionally, AIH develops after liver transplantation.
authors: Indiana University School of Nursing, Family Health, Room 451L, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107, USA.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Ellett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids