Alcoholic hepatitis

**Definition:** Alcoholic hepatitis is injury and inflammation of the liver caused by excessive intake of alcohol. It is characterised by infiltration by neutrophils, ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes and deposit of Mallory hyaline bodies. Alcoholic hepatitis often occurs concomitantly in patients with other forms of alcoholic liver disease such as fatty liver (alcoholic steatohepatitis), liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.