Sequeale of acute viral hepatitis type B

In 1976 we undertook to evaluate the incidence of chronic liver lesions in 161 patients treated in hospital during the years 1970-1975 for their serologically established acute viral hepatitis type B (AVH-B). At systematic control examination mode in 1976, after a period from 1-5 years since the acute onset of disease, it was established that in 133 individuals (82.6%) the antigen HBs had disappeared from blood and the BLT had become normal. Persistent HBs antigenemia was established in 20 (12.4%) individuals. In 15 (9.2%) patients persistent HBs antigenemia was accompanied by pathologic BLT, in 5 (3.1%) cases liver function became returned to normal yet with the persistent HBs antigenemia after their recovery from A VH-B. In 8 (4.9%) patients pathologic BLT persisted although HBsAg had disappeared from blood. Among 28 persons with persistent pathological BLT or with persistent HBs antigenemia out of a total of 161 patients who had had A VH-B, there were 11 (6.8%) cases with the bioptically proved CPHf, 8 (5.0%) cases with CPH, 5 (3.1%) cases with CAH, while 4 (2.5%) patients showed fatty liver metamorphosis or had by light microskopy completely normal liver. CAH was established only in cases with persistent BHs antigenemia and pathological BLT. The incidence of the chronic liver lesion and of the persistent antigenemia was among our patients who had had A VH-B in inverse ratio to the intensity of their initial infection. Our study suggests that no prodisposition for persistent HBs antigenemia is created by the prednisolone therapy.