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Abstract
hepatitis is a progressive, chronic hepatitis of
unknown cause that occurs in children and adults of all ages.Usually, it
has a fluctuating course, with periods of increased or decreased activity
(Krawitt, 2006). It is characterized histologically by the presence of
interface hepatitis and portal plasma cell infiltration and serologically by
increased level of gammaglobulins, and autoantibodies (Czaja et al.,
2002). Other major features of autoimmune hepatitis include; serological
findings of activation and deregulation of the immune system such as
low levels of Complement factor 4 and partial or complete IgA
deficiency, association with different types of autoimmune disorders, and
response to immunosuppressive treatment even in case of severe liver
function impairment (Maggiore and Sciveres, 2005).
AIH can have different forms of clinical presentation, and is
sometimes indistinguishable from viral hepatitis. AIH must be ruled out
in patients presenting with concomitant elevation of aminotransferases
and immunoglobulins( Romero et al., 2007).Autoimmune hepatitis
reflects a complex interaction between triggering factors, autoantigens,
genetic predispositions, and immunoregulatory networks (Czaja, 2007).