[Transient chronic hepatitis after acute viral hepatitis A (author's transl)]

Serologic, chemical and in part bioptic follow-up investigations were done in 25 patients with acute viral hepatitis A. The disease course was completely uncomplicated in 19 patients; pathologically increased transaminases returned to normal within 3 months. Transaminases remained increased pathologically in 3 patients for 3 to 6 months. In a further 3 patients normalisation took 8 to 15 months. Two patients showed histologic changes in the early phase of the disease which were compatible with persistent or chronic active hepatitis. Cure of hepatitis appeared likely in all cases on the grounds of clinical and laboratory follow-up investigations. These investigations show that in acute viral hepatitis A prolonged disease courses and transient chronicity may occur besides the uncomplicated course.