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Autoimmune hepatitis: The realities and the uncertainties

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Conclusions

The concept of autoimmue hepatitis has developed over the past 35–40 years. Despite continuing debate over the nosologie status of this disease, there are certain “realities” that argue for autoimmune hepatitis as an entity.

The uncertainties include valid criteria for distinguishing the autoimmune from other types of CAH, and the applicability of the marker antibodies for diagnosis. A reliable animal model is lacking. The initiating process, infectious or other, is unknown. The immunological events that determine self-perpetuation need elucidation. These include the identity of the liver membrane autoantigen, the immunogenetic contribution, the respective roles in pathogenesis of helper, suppressor and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and the identification of a specific liver membrane autoantibody. Clear advances are perceptible on each of these fronts.

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  1. Centre for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Monash University, 3168, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Ian R. Mackay M.D.

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  1. Ian R. Mackay M.D.
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Mackay, I.R. Autoimmune hepatitis: The realities and the uncertainties. Gastroenterol Jpn 26, 102–108 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02779520

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02779520

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