Polyphasic and protracted patterns of hepatitis A infection: a retrospective study

The present study was performed in order to evaluate the frequency and clinical features of polyphasic and protracted forms of HA infection. Out of 297 adult HA patients admitted to our hospital, 12.5% and 8.4% were polyphasic and protracted, respectively, in clinical course. 21.6% of the polyphasic patients had more than one relapses. The rates of symptomatic relapse during the follow-up of the polyphasic and protracted HA infections were 51% and 56%, respectively, One % of all HA patients presented a cholestatic pattern. Three % of all the patients had to be readmitted for hospital treatment. The outcome of disease was benign in all HA patients, though, complete recovery sometimes needed six months.