Causes & Risk Factors
Causes
Autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body’s immune system, which ordinarily attacks viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, instead targets the liver. This attack on your liver can lead to chronic inflammation and serious damage to liver cells. Just why the body turns against itself is unclear, but researchers think autoimmune hepatitis could be caused by the interaction of genes controlling immune-system function and exposure to particular viruses or drugs.
Types of autoimmune hepatitis
Doctors have identified two main forms of autoimmune hepatitis:
- Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
This is the most common type of the disease. It can occur at any age. About half the people with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis have other autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis. - Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis
Although adults can develop type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, it’s most common in children and young people. Other autoimmune diseases may also accompany this type of autoimmune hepatitis.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of autoimmune hepatitis include:
- Being female
Although both men and women can develop autoimmune hepatitis, the disease is more common in women. - A history of certain infections
Autoimmune hepatitis may develop after you’re infected with the measles, herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus. The disease is also linked to hepatitis A, B or C infection. - Heredity
Evidence suggests that a predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis may run in families. - Having an autoimmune disease
People who already have an autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), may be more likely to develop autoimmune hepatitis.