[Studies on development of viral hepatitis with HBs antigenemia (author's transl)]

47 cases of viral hepatitis with HBs antigenemia, who were diagnosed by peritoneoscopy and biopsy, were studied. 41 cases were males, and 6 cases were females. The onset ages were mostly in 25--29 years old. The histories of blood transfusion were found in only 4.3%. On the other hand, the families clustered with HBs antigen were found in 68%. Recidivums were often seen (76%), and yet the intervals between recidivum were short (the neighborhood of 8 months). The transaminases at the recidivums were not so high (200 units or thereabout). 20 cases whom biopsies were performed more than twice, were studied histologically. 14 cases were prognessive. 5 were stationary. 1 was improved. In all of progressive cases, sublobular hepatic necrosis was seen. But in other cases, sublobular necrosis was not seen. After this sublobular necrosis, various distortion of the lobule architecture was appeared, and some of them progressed to liver cirrhosis. As to GOT and GPT, GPT was dominant before sublobular neerosis, but GOT was liable to be dominant after sublobular necrosis. Peritoneoscopically, peculiar red spots were found on liver surfaces at the time of sublobular necrosis.