[Diagnosis of acute hepatitis]

The following recommendations are to be given for the basis diagnosis of hepatitis: --In the blood donation and blood transfusion institutions the control of the donors is performed by means of the combination ALAT and HBs-antigen (transmigration electrophoresis); depending on methods limits were established showing a high diagnostic specificity. Thus, no doubt, the diagnostic sensitivity is decreased, but the number of the examined persons with falsely positive findings probably diminishes. --For the diagnostics in the clinic the parameters ALAT, ASAT, bilirubin and the thymol turbidity test are at the disposal as criteria of the liver cell damage as well as AP (alkaline phosphatase), AAP and GGT as criteria of the cholostasis and the thymol turbidity test, serum protein including immunoglobulins as criteria of the mesenchymal reaction. The reference areas must be established method-specifically corresponding to the interrogation of the physician. --The isoenzymes of the ALD, the ASAT and the LDH represent an essential enrichment of the diagnostic and prognostic estimation of hepatitis. But at present it is not yet possible to determine these parameters in routine work. However, there gradual introduction into practice should be the aim.