Lenzi M
Cattedra di Medicina Interna 2, Università di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Italy.
FEMS Microbiol Rev. 1994 Jul;14(3):247-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.1994.tb00095.x.
The identification of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the availability of serological tests for the identification of its infection has deeply changed our view of autoimmune hepatitis. In fact, we have learned that autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear, anti-smooth muscle and anti-liver kidney microsomes, cannot be considered specific any longer for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, since they are frequently found in association with HCV. The new clinical entity characterized by the association of autoantibodies with signs of HCV infection is presently under evaluation. This, in order to understand what is the prevalent pathogenetic mechanism, viral or autoimmune, operating in these patients and to chose the best treatment regimen.
丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）的鉴定以及用于鉴定其感染的血清学检测方法的出现，深刻改变了我们对自身免疫性肝炎的看法。事实上，我们已经了解到，抗核抗体、抗平滑肌抗体和抗肝肾微粒体抗体等自身抗体，不再被认为是自身免疫性肝炎诊断的特异性指标，因为它们经常与HCV感染同时出现。目前正在评估这种以自身抗体与HCV感染迹象相关联为特征的新临床实体。这样做是为了了解在这些患者中起主要作用的致病机制是病毒感染还是自身免疫，并选择最佳的治疗方案。
