[Autoimmune mechanisms and post-anesthetic hepatitis]

After a brief review of clinical, biological and immunological features of post anesthesia hepatitis and hepatic auto-immunity, the authors attempt to determine whether certain forms of post-anesthesia hepatitis can be placed under the heading of autoimmune liver disorders, the mechanisms by which auto-immunity can be induced and modulated and the practical implications of these concepts, namely with regard to detection of subjects at risk.