title: Update on autoimmune hepatitis.
abstract: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a necroinflammatory liver disease of unknown etiology that occurs in children and adults of all ages. Characteristics are its autoimmune features, hyperglobulinemia (IgG), and the presence of circulating autoantibodies, as well as a response to immunosuppressant drugs. Current treatment consists of prednisone and azathioprine and in most patients this disease has become very treatable. Over the past 2 years, a couple of new insights into the genetic aspects, clinical course and treatment of AIH have been reported, which will be the focus of this review. In particular, we concentrate on genome-wide microsatellite analysis, a novel mouse model of AIH, the evaluation of a large AIH cohort for overlap syndromes, suggested novel criteria for the diagnosis of AIH, and the latest studies on treatment of AIH with budenoside and mycophenolate mofetil.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teufel
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Galle
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanzler
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015894:Genome, Human; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008017:Life Expectancy; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D017741:Survivors; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000906:Antibodies; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C438668:swine leukocyte antigen; D004247:DNA