[Alanine aminotransferase--a surrogate marker of viral hepatitis]

Examinations of 4457 blood donors (about 80% were men aged 18 to 30) revealed an increased level of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) in 82 (1.8%). Specific markers of viral hepatitis C were detected in 15.9%, of hepatitis B in 12.0%, of hepatitis D in 2.0%, of hepatitis E in 8.0%, of hepatitis A in 2.0% of sera with high SGPT levels. Mandatory screening of blood donors revealed specific markers of viral hepatitis in 15.9% of cases, additional testing detected these markers in 10.9% cases more. A conclusion is made that an increase of SGPT activity is an independent surrogate marker of viral hepatitis.