[Autoimmune hepatitis. Physiopathologic, clinical, histological, and therapeutic features]

Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by an inflammation of the portal tract with lymphocytes and plasma cells, an hypergammaglobulinemia and a variety of circulating autoantibodies. The presence of smooth muscle antibodies and/or antinuclear antibodies define type 1. Type 2 is characterized by the presence of liver-kidney--microsomal antibodies. Environmental, genetic and infectious factors may explain the autoreactivity of T cells. Different non specific clinical features may be present. Sometimes the presentation may be an acute hepatitis; in the remainder, the disease may not be recognized until liver damage is advanced. Hypergammaglobulinemia and presence of circulating autoantibodies are the key for diagnosis. The association of prednisolone in combination with azathioprine remains the established treatment. If relapse or non response occur, other immunosuppressive therapy such as cyclosporin may be useful. Liver transplantation is reserved for (sub)fulminant forms and end stage liver disease.