Diagnosis of chronic hepatitis

In this brief review the basic information concerning diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is presented. The evaluation of patient with chronic hepatitis must consider a number of possible etiologies. In some chronic hepatitis cases hepatic injury may be due to more than one agent. Because the clinical signs of chronic hepatitis are not characteristic or the course of disease may be asymptomatic special attention should be dedicated to biochemical, immunological and virological tests. The most sensitive and specific tests and techniques should be used in differential diagnosis. The knowledge about extrahepatic manifestations of liver diseases, mainly due to immunological disorders, is also very important. However, the role of liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis cases is essential to confirm the diagnosis and indicate the possible etiology.