Diagnosis
The diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is best achieved with a combination of clinical, laboratory and histological findings.
A number of specific antibodies found in the blood (antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA), liver/kidney microsomal antibody (LKM-1, LKM-2, LKM-3), anti soluble liver antigen (SLA/LP) and anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)) are of use, as is finding an increased Immunoglobulin G level. However, the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis always requires a liver biopsy.
Expert opinion has been summarized by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group, which has published criteria which utilize clinical and laboratory data that can be used to help determine if a patient has autoimmune hepatitis. A calculator based on those criteria is available online.
Overlapping presentation with primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis has been observed.
Read more about this topic: Autoimmune Hepatitis