Autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis is an uncommon disease causing chronic inflammation of the liver and associated with various circulating autoantibodies. It shares some characteristics with other autoimmune liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis. There has been confusion in past years regarding this entity, but there are now recognized diagnostic criteria by which to make a proper diagnosis. The disease is usually treatable with steroids. Certain proportions of treated patients become cured, although relapse is a problem often requiring chronic administration of steroid therapy. The expected mortality is close to normal in individuals who are cured or have only mild disease.