Autoimmune hepatitis in the course of human immune deficiency virus infection

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) represents a chronic inflammatory liver disease, characterized by lymphocytes T infiltration, hipergammaglobulinaemia and circulating autoantibodies, also by connections with human leucocyte antigens (HLA). Its pathogenesis is still unknown, there is no typical symptomps, the clinical course is heterogeneous with very often positive response for immunospressive treatment. Multiple factors have been involved, with the general understanding that in a predisposing genetic background (HLA-DR3 and DR4), environmental, pharmacological or infectious agents may trigger this condition. Many data indicate that hepatitis viruses probably play an important role as AIH trigger agents. Several cases (precisely 15 cases) of AIH in HIV-infected patients have been communicated, suggesting that HIV infection may be also one of such triggers. For HIV infected and not infected patients formal criteria for AIH diagnosis and therapy are the same and based on recommendations of International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAHG).