[Immunocorrective therapy of severe forms of hepatitis B]

Fifty-five patients with viral hepatitis B complicated by liver precoma and coma received therapy with glucocorticosteroid hormones (GCS) only and in combination with antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (ALG). GCS and ALG therapy proved to be more effective and clinical convalescence of the patients was 79% against 69% with the application of GCS therapy alone. Immunological shifts in patients with hepatitis B complicated by liver precoma and coma were expressed at most and characterized by a significant decrease in the content of T-lymphocytes, T-helpers and T-suppressors. Correlation between a decrease in the HBsAg concentration or its disappearance in the blood serum and a decrease in the elevated level of the circulating immune complexes was revealed.