[Acute hepatitis by virus B in Chile: clinical and developmental characteristics]

We report clinical characteristics and follow up in 31 patients with acute B-hepatitis. Twenty were male and the age ranged from 9 to 80 years (mean 38). The infecting mechanism was probably related to homosexuality in 11, parenteral contact in 4 (1 post transfusional), health care workers in 4, home contact in 3, promiscuity in 3 and unknown in 6. Of 24 patients followed for a mean of 2 years, 20 recovered completely (84%). Anti HBs appeared 2 to 17 months (mean 8.3) after disappearance of HBsAg. Two had fulminant hepatitis and died, 1 developed chronic active hepatitis and 1 with subfulminant disease died after 6.5 months. Thus, the known risk factors for B-Hepatitis are confirmed in this series.