Chronic liver disease following community-acquired non-A, non-B hepatitis

Chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis occurring in an urban American population was identified in 23 patients followed for more than six months after the onset of acute hepatitis. Eight of the 23 patients subsequently developed normal aminotransferase levels a mean of 12.3 months after the onset of hepatitis. Liver biopsies were obtained from 9 of the remaining 15 patients. Eight biopsies revealed abnormalities consistent with chronic persistent hepatitis. One revealed chronic active hepatitis. The probable source of hepatitis included blood transfusions in 4%, intravenous drugs in 43%, personal contact in 4%, and no known source in 48%. Normalization of aminotransferase activity could not be predicted by initial symptoms, physical findings, or laboratory values. This study suggests that the chronic liver disease following community-acquired non-A, non-B hepatitis is frequent and may have a benign course.