Autoimmune hepatitis in an area endemic for hepatitis B virus infection: a report of three cases.

The role of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis is usually neglected, and its prevalence in Taiwan is uncertain. This report described three cases of AIH among consecutive patients with abnormal liver function tests encountered during the past six years. The minimal follow-up period was three years. Two of them were elderly males and one was associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen before being recognized as AIH. Though multiple relapses were encountered in two patients, good response to low-dose corticosteroid therapy was evidenced clinically and histologically. The possibility of AIH as the underlying etiology should be considered when other causes of chronic hepatitis are excluded. Prompt recognition and management prevent untoward outcome.