[Chronic persistent HBsAg positive hepatitis in children. II. Effect of treatment with levamisole]

In five children affected by HBsAg positive chronic persistent hepatitis a treatment with Levamisole (LMS) modified several immunological parameters which had been found altered before treatment. In particular the percentage of E rosette forming cells increased while that of EAC decreased; B lymphocytes with SmIgG and the responsiveness to phytohaemagglutinin, which were significantly decreased and increased respectively, got normal values. Since the persistence of HBsAg was unaffected by LMS treatment and a light increase of transaminase serum levels (GPT and GOT) was observed during treatment, doubts are expressed about the opportunity of using LMS in children affected by such a form of hepatitis.