Which histologic feature is classically seen in autoimmune hepatitis?

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Multiple Choice

Which histologic feature is classically seen in autoimmune hepatitis?

Interface hepatitis is the hallmark histologic feature of autoimmune hepatitis. This means inflammation and necrosis at the limiting plate where the portal tract meets the hepatic parenchyma, with a plasma cell–rich infiltrate that extends into hepatocytes at the border (piecemeal necrosis). This pattern reflects autoimmune attack on hepatocytes at the portal–parenchymal interface and is often accompanied by hepatocyte apoptosis and, sometimes, rosette formation. Other patterns—steatosis alone, granulomas, or fatty liver with ballooning—fit better with fatty liver disease, granulomatous conditions, or steatohepatitis, respectively, and are not the defining histologic hallmark of autoimmune hepatitis.

Interface hepatitis is the hallmark histologic feature of autoimmune hepatitis. This means inflammation and necrosis at the limiting plate where the portal tract meets the hepatic parenchyma, with a plasma cell–rich infiltrate that extends into hepatocytes at the border (piecemeal necrosis). This pattern reflects autoimmune attack on hepatocytes at the portal–parenchymal interface and is often accompanied by hepatocyte apoptosis and, sometimes, rosette formation. Other patterns—steatosis alone, granulomas, or fatty liver with ballooning—fit better with fatty liver disease, granulomatous conditions, or steatohepatitis, respectively, and are not the defining histologic hallmark of autoimmune hepatitis.

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