[Autoantibodies in hepatology]

The diagnosis of autoimmune liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis) can be made by assaying specific autoantibodies in the serum. A review is presented of these antibodies, the methods used to detect them, and the antigens identified to date. Hepatitis C is the most common cause of autoantibody production in liver diseases and is also discussed.