Hepatitis, Chronic
| Definition: |
A collective term for a clinical and pathological syndrome which has several causes and is characterized by varying degrees of hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation. Specific forms of chronic hepatitis include autoimmune hepatitis (HEPATITIS, AUTOIMMUNE), chronic hepatitis B; (HEPATITIS B, CHRONIC), chronic hepatitis C; (HEPATITIS C, CHRONIC), chronic hepatitis D; (HEPATITIS D, CHRONIC), indeterminate chronic viral hepatitis, cryptogenic chronic hepatitis and drug-related chronic hepatitis (HEPATITIS, CHRONIC, DRUG-INDUCED). |
| Notes: |
chronic hepatitis from any cause; GEN or unspecified; prefer specifics; chronic alcoholic hepatitis = HEPATITIS, ALCOHOLIC |
| Also Called: |
Cryptogenic Chronic Hepatitis,Hepatitis, Chronic Active |
| Previously Indexed: |
Hepatitis (1966-1982),Hepatitis B (1966-1982) |
Hepatitis, Chronic Categories.
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Hepatitis, Autoimmune - An unresolving, predominately periportal, hepatitis, usually with hypergammaglobulinemia and serum autoantibodies. The existence of subgroups (types 1, 2, and 3) based on serological findings are controversial. Additionally, some patients have variant forms, where there are features associated with both autoimmune hepatitis and another type of chronic liver disease (overlap syndromes) or where there are findings incompatible with autoimmune hepatitis (outlier syndromes). (From Czaja, Ann Intern Med. 1996; 125:588-598) |
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Hepatitis, Chronic, Drug-Induced - An inflammatory disease of the liver, lasting six months or more, and caused by an adverse drug effect. The adverse effect may result from a direct toxic effect of a drug or metabolite, or an idiosyncratic response to a drug or metabolite. The clinical and histological changes can mimic viral or autoimmune hepatitis. |
Hepatitis, Chronic Definitions and Terms
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