Autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your liver cells. Gene mutations or post-infectious autoimmune disorders can trigger this condition. Post-COVID-19 infection can cause it. The attack leads to inflammation, manifesting as redness, swelling, and pain (though you may not experience pain). It also results in damage to the liver and an increase in liver enzyme levels.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory liver disease. Two types of autoimmune hepatitis are identified in clinical settings: Type 1 (classic) and Type 2.
Type 1 is the most common form of the disease. It can occur at any age but typically begins during the teenage years or in young adults. Women are affected more frequently than men. Type 1 is often associated with other autoimmune disorders, in which the body attacks itself. These related conditions may include thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis. Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by the presence of anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) that target the smooth muscle cells in the liver. This type of hepatitis has also been referred to as “lupoid hepatitis” because its clinical symptoms are similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is rare and typically more severe. It usually presents earlier in life, often during childhood, and progresses more quickly than Type 1. Type 2 is associated with anti-liver-kidney microsome type 1 antibodies (anti-LKM-1) or anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibodies (anti-LC1). Anti-LKM-1 antibodies target a protein called cytochrome P450-2D6 (CYP2D6) in liver cells, while anti-LC1 antibodies are specific to liver proteins.
Additionally, the COVID-19 virus and its variants have been linked to post-infectious autoimmune hepatitis, which can manifest as either Type 1 or Type 2. Treatment approaches in our clinic differ from mainstream medical practices; rather than solely suppressing the abnormal immune response, we focus on reversing the antigens long-COVID triggers. This method aims to heal autoimmune hepatitis more effectively.
We have treatment solutions individually for healing autoimmune hepatitis. This approach can improve immune suppressive therapy by 100%. You can reference our clinical practice at https://www.anmedicine.com and explore the underlying mechanisms at https://anmedicine.thinkific.com