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Autoimmune Hepatitis is when the patient’s Immune System is attacking its own Liver. This can cause potentially serious side affects and complications. It is seen in about 2 per every 100,000 individuals.

If left untreated or managed, the liver can progressively become worse and this can lead to Liver Failure. Initial symptoms or damage to the liver can have a very quick initial onset. This condition can progress to Cirrhosis or other response of the Inflammation process in the liver.

If treatment options of management and medications are unsuccessful, often times, a liver transplant would be required. To Learn more about Liver Transplants: Click Here

Some of the cause agents of Autoimmune Hepatitis are: Hepatitis A, Epstein-Barr infection, measles, and drug or toxin agents.

Autoimmune Hepatitis is typically seen young women but it can be seen in either sex and at any age. [Almost 70% of the time]

Symptoms:

–  Multiple spider nevi
–  Striae
–  Acne
–  Hirsutism
–  Enlarged liver
–  Increased liver enzymes

Types:

1.)  Type I – SMA and/or ANA

2.)  Type II – Anti-LKMI – typically children 2-14 years of age

3.)  Type III – Anti SLA/LP

Treatment:

Medications

  –  Prednisone with or without Azathioprine – 80% response rate
  –  Mercaptopurine instead of Azathioprine in some cases

If failure other medication options may include:

  –  Cclosporine
  –  Tacrolimus
  –  Methotrexate

Liver transplant may be required if treatment failure

Reoccurrences can occur in 40% of transplanted livers