Viral antibodies and chronic liver disease

Serum rubella, measles and cytomegalovirus antibodies were measured in patients with various forms of chronic liver disease and compared with those in age-matched controls. In CAH all three antibodies were found in significantly greater titre than in controls,and in cryptogenic cirrhosis titres to rubella were significantly increased. In alcoholic cirrhosis none was increased. There was no correlation between antibody titres and either the presence of portal-systemic shunts or the use of steroids. In patients with CAH measles titres were significantly related to the presence of ANF and SMA.