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Autoimmune Hepatitis
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What is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

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Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare liver disease in which monoclonal antibodies — proteins that normally protect us against viruses and bacteria — mistakenly attack liver cells, causing damage and chronic inflammation.  

Types of autoimmune hepatitis

There are two main forms: 

  • Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. This is the most common form and can affect people of any age or sex. 

  • Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis. This primarily affects children and young adults.  

The two types are distinguished by the specific circulating autoantibodies; although the symptoms, prognosis and treatment are similar for both.  

How many people are affected?

AIH affects people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, although it is more common in women, with a ratio of approximately four women to every man. It is considered a rare disease: affecting between 11 and 25 people per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe.

Read more Causes and risk factors

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Liver Transplant Viral Hepatitis
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Substantiated information by:

María Carlota Londoño Hurtado
Pinelopi Arvaniti

Published: 27 October 2025
Updated: 30 October 2025

The donations that can be done through this webpage are exclusively for the benefit of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona through Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica and not for BBVA Foundation, entity that collaborates with the project of PortalClínic.

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