Approach to diagnosis of auto-immune hepatitis

Abstract

Auto-immune hepatitis (AIH) is one of the chronic liver diseases, seen predominantly in women, resulting from dysregulated immune mechanisms not yet clearly defined. Based on a combination of clinical and laboratory parameters with both positive and negative weights, the International AIH Group devised a scoring system in 1993. The system was modified in 1999 and has proven useful for both diagnostic and research purposes. This review deliberates on the clinical, immunological and histological features of this entity.

Keywords

• Auto-antibodies
• auto-immune diseases
• chronic liver disease
• hepatitis
• liver biopsy