Autoimmune Hepatitis Research Paper

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Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by periportal inflammation, elevated immunoglobulins, autoantibodies, and a dramatic response to immunosuppression. Autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body's immune system, which ordinarily attacks viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, instead targets the liver. This attack on your liver can lead to chronic inflammation and serious damage to liver cells. Just why the body turns against itself is unclear, but researchers think autoimmune hepatitis could be caused by the interaction of genes controlling immune-system function and exposure to particular viruses or drugs. Autoimmune hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Cirrhosis occurs when scar tissue replaces …show more content…

Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is the most common form in North America. About 70 percent of people with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis are female. Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is less common and occurs more often in children than adults. Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can range from minor to severe and they include, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, an enlarged liver and in women, loss of menstruation. Tests and procedures used to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis include, blood tests which is used for autoantibodies to help distinguish autoimmune hepatitis from other liver diseases that have similar symptoms, such as viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, steatohepatitis, or Wilson disease. Liver biopsy is when Doctors perform a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the degree and type of liver damage. Possible Complication of autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis is that people are at risk of developing liver cancer. Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis includes medication to suppress, or slow down, an overactive immune system. Treatment may also include a liver …show more content…

Autoimmune hepatitis may develop after you’re infected with the measles, herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus. The disease is also linked to hepatitis A, B or C infection. Evidence suggests that a predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis may run in families. People who already have an autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), may be more likely to develop autoimmune

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