Autoimmune hepatitis is a long-term disease in which the body’s immune system attacks liver cells.

Autoimmune hepatitis is diagnosed using various blood tests and a liver biopsy.

With proper treatment, autoimmune hepatitis can usually be controlled. The main treatment is medicine that suppresses the body’s overactive immune system.

Hope Through Research

Scientists are studying various aspects of autoimmune hepatitis to find out who gets it and why and to discover better ways to treat it. Basic research on the immune system will expand knowledge of autoimmune diseases in general.

Epidemiologic research will help doctors understand what triggers autoimmune hepatitis in some people. Research on different steroids, alternatives to steroids, and other immunosuppressants will eventually lead to more effective treatments.

For More Information Autoimmune Hepatitis

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
1001 North Fairfax, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-299-9766
Fax: 703-299-9622
Email: aasld@aasld.org
Internet: www.aasld.org

American Liver Foundation
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038-4810
Phone: 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837), 1-888-4HEP-USA (443-7872), or 212-668-1000
Fax: 212-483-8179
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Internet: www.liverfoundation.org

Source: digestive.niddk.nih.gov – April 2008