[Diagnosis and therapy of autoimmune hepatitis]

Thorough differential diagnosis in patients with autoimmune hepatitis is important since other liver disorders need different treatment regimen. Elevated transaminases and gamma-globulines and autoantibodies should make one think of autoimmune hepatitis. Liver biopsy is helpful but usually not a definitive proof of the diagnosis. Immunosuppressive therapy has to be administered for years and possibly leads to serious side effects. Therapy should only be discontinued if a complete remission is induced. Relapses after cessation of medical treatment occur frequently. If no remission is achieved lifelong immunosuppressive therapy has to be given. In decompensated disease liver transplantation offers a treatment with good prognosis.