Autoimmune hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by immune cells that mistake the liver's normal cells as harmful invaders.

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:

• Thyroiditis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Ulcerative colitis
• Hemolytic anemia
• Proliferative glomerulonephritis

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.

• Dark urine
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
• Abdominal distention
• Generalized itching
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Nausea and vomiting

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).

• Liver biopsy showing chronic hepatitis
• Abnormal liver function tests

Tests associated with autoimmune hepatitis:

• Positive ANA
• Positive anti-liver kidney microsomal antibody
• Positive anti-mitochondrial antibody
• Higher than normal sedimentation rate
• Higher than normal serum IgG