DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF AUTOIMMUNE HEPAT ITIS

Thorough differential diagnosis in patients with autoimmune hepatitis is important since other liver disorders need different treatment regi men. Elevated transaminases and gamma-globulines and autoantibodies sh ould make one think of autoimmune hepatitis. Liver biopsy is helpful b ut usually not a definitive proof of the diagnosis. Immunosuppressive therapy has to be administered for years and possibly leads to serious side effects. Therapy should only be discontinued if a complete remis sion is induced. Relapses after cessation of medical treatment occur f requently. If no remission is achieved lifelong immunosuppressive ther apy has to be given. In decompensated disease liver transplantation of fers a treatment with good prognosis.