Knowra Autoimmune hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory liver disease in which immune activity damages liver cells. Without effective treatment, ongoing injury can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure.
Hepatocyte : A hepatocyte is the main functional cell of the liver, carrying out metabolism, detoxification, and protein production. These liver cells are the principal targets of injury in autoimmune hepatitis.
Liver : The liver is an organ that processes nutrients, produces bile and blood proteins, and helps clear substances from the blood. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease of this organ and can impair many of its functions.
International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group : The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group is a professional organization that develops research criteria and guidance for the disease. Its scoring systems help standardize diagnostic assessment and research.
Viral hepatitis : Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infection with hepatitis viruses. Testing for viral causes helps distinguish infection from autoimmune liver injury.
Autoantibody : An autoantibody is an antibody that binds to molecules produced by the body itself. Certain autoantibodies can support diagnosis, though they do not alone establish it.
Hepatitis : Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by infections, immune disorders, toxins, or other conditions. Autoimmune hepatitis is one cause within this broader category of liver inflammation.
Prednisone : Prednisone is a glucocorticoid medicine that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune activity. It is commonly used to induce remission, often with azathioprine.
Drug-induced liver injury : Drug-induced liver injury is liver damage caused by prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements. Some drugs produce hepatitis-like findings and can complicate diagnosis.
Antinuclear antibody : An antinuclear antibody binds components of a cell’s nucleus and is detected in several autoimmune conditions. It is one of the characteristic serological findings in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis.
Adaptive immunity : Adaptive immunity is the antigen-specific arm of the immune system, involving lymphocytes and immune memory. Dysregulated adaptive immune responses are implicated in the liver-directed injury.
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