Autoimmune Hepatitis – Top USMLE Diseases

The liver (Latin: Iecur, Greek: Hepar) is the generalist among all organs – acting universally as center of metabolism, storage unit, detoxifying- and excreting organ. Medical staff is frequently confronted with diseases such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis and fatty liver. Therefore, anatomical and biochemical knowledge of the liver is part of every medicine student`s basic training. Read this compact overview on structure, functions and diseases of the liver.

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders that are characterized by abnormal reactions of the immune system against one’s own body. These usually manifest during the middle years and are, most of the time, chronic. Approximately 3.2 % of the global population is composed of people who are afflicted with these, being generally more common among women.

Viral hepatitis can be caused by different kinds of viruses which include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses cause targeted inflammation of the liver. In the acute stage, patients develop non-specific symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Later on, jaundice becomes evident. During this stage, supportive therapy is important. Antiviral therapy is indicated in the acute and chronic stages of hepatitis B and C.

Autoimmune hepatitis is a progressive necroinflammatory process leading to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. It is characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies and high serum globulin concentrations. The pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis is unclear; however, a proposed mechanism suggests overactive T cells in genetically susceptible patients. Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized histologically by certain non-specific findings, making the measurement of autoantibodies and gamma globulins essential for diagnosis. It is also essential to differentiate autoimmune hepatitis from other forms of hepatitis.