Chronic active hepatitis
Alternative names:
chronic aggressive hepatitis
Definition:
A continuing inflammation of the liver that damages the
liver cells.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Causes of chronic active hepatitis include viral infection,
drug ingestion, metabolic disorders, or autoimmune
diseases. There may also be no apparent cause. The disease
is characterized by necrosis
or death of liver cells, active inflammation, and fibrosis
that may lead to liver failure, cirrhosis,
and death. The incidence
is 1 out of 10,000 people. Risk factors are autoimmune diseases,
previous infection with non-A
non-B hepatitis, or a positive hepatitis
A or hepatitis B
antigen for over 6 months.
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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