Table 3.

Viral triggers associated with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Viral agent	Potential mechanism	Autoantibodies detected
HAV [[78], [79], [80], [81], [82], [83], [84], [85], [86], [87], [88]]	defect in suppressor-inducer T lymphocytes controlling immune responses towards the asialo-glycoprotein receptor (ASGPR)	anti-ASGPR
HBV/HDV [[101], [102], [103], [104], [105], [106], [107]]	development of non-organ specific autoantibodies	ANA, SMA, anti-LKM3
HCV [[89], [90], [91], [92], [93], [94], [95], [96], [97], [98], [99]]	sequence homology with CYP2D6	anti-LKM1
HEV [[108], [109], [110], [111], [112]]	cross-reactivity between viral and liver antigens	ANA, SMA
EBV [[113], [114], [115], [116], [117], [118]]	trigger of immunological response	ANA, SMA, anti-LKM1
CMV [97,98]	sequence homology with CYP2D6	anti-LKM1
HSV-1 [97,98]	sequence homology with CYP2D6	anti-LKM1

Abbreviations: HAV, hepatitis A; HBV/HDV, hepatitis B/hepatitis D; HCV, hepatitis C; HEV, hepatitis E; CMV, cytomegalovirus; EBV, Ebstein Bar virus; HSV-1, herpes simplex 1; ASGPR, asialo-glycoprotein receptor; ANA, antinuclear antibodies; SMA, anti-smooth muscle antibodies; anti-LKM1, anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1; CYP2D6, cytochrome P450 2D6.