Autoimmune hepatitis
Definition
Autoimmune hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by immune cells that mistake the liver's normal cells as harmful invaders.
Alternative Names
Lupoid hepatitisCauses
A person with autoimmune hepatitis has autoantibodies circulating in the bloodstream that cause the immune system to attack the liver.
This disease is associated with other autoimmune diseases, including the following:
Autoimmune hepatitis sometimes occurs in relatives of people with autoimmune diseases, suggesting a genetic cause.
This disease is most common in young girls and women.
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