If the user is in a view / read-only"view" / "read-only" mode mode, then an un-intrusive auto-refresh while maintaining the user's place in the items is the best option.
If the user is in an "edit" or "action"edit" or "action" mode" mode with potential changes to the item(s), auto-refresh should be temporarily disabled, and the user may be given the option to perform a manual refresh. However, the user should be notified if the manual refresh has the potential to discard his / her changes.
Having only two distinct modes or scenarios also reduces the users cognitive load, and makes it easier for the user to detect which mode the application is in (based off of whether or not they are making edits) and therefore, how the refresh is behaving.