[Course of acute hepatitis B in alcoholism]

Clinical course of the acute hepatitis B has been analysed in 29 men chronically abusing alcohol. The most frequent source of the infection was surgery and hospitalizations. Clinical course and biochemical findings were similar in this group and in 30 men not drinking alcohol. A sole difference concerned higher GGTP activity in alcoholics. The persistence of HBs antigen was similar in both groups. Chronic alcohol abuse does not seem to have a significant effect on the course and convalescent phase of the acute hepatitis B.