[Hepatitis B and C markers in alcoholic liver diseases]

Hepatitis B and C virus contamination of 240 patients with alcoholic liver disease was studied. Hepatitis B virus core antibodies were present in 58 alcoholic patients (24%) and hepatitis C virus antibodies in 30 alcoholic patients (12.5%). Both antibodies were present in 17 patients (7.1%). The prevalence of antibodies was more frequent in alcoholic female patients than in males. Data concerning the hepatitis B virus contamination in alcoholic liver patients with or without cirrhosis were similar. The frequency of hepatitis C virus antibodies in cirrhotic patients was more than in patients without cirrhosis. Female cirrhotic patients were more frequently C virus antibody positive than males. In female alcoholics the frequency of C virus antibodies was more in patients with cirrhosis than in the patients without cirrhosis. The viral serology and follow up of patients with alcoholic liver disease may be useful in detection of the early stage hepatocellular carcinoma.