[Chronic active hepatitis with a favorable course, after fulminant hepatitis]

The case reported here is that of a girl with presumably viral non A, non B, acute hepatitis with a very unusual course. Fulminant hepatitis with submassive and bridging hepatic necrosis and a 17-day coma began during the 7th week of evolution. Prolonged chronic active hepatitis followed. Treatment was initiated 6 months after the beginning of the affection and was maintained for more than 2 years, with an apparent cure persisting after follow-up period of 6 months; fibrous scars were the only abnormalities demonstrable on histologic examination of liver biopsy. It is possible that such type of fulminant hepatitis with unusual course will become more frequent, as survival of the initial acute episode increase.