[Immunologic evaluations during prolonged and chronic hepatitis. Significance for diagnosis and prognosis. 100 cases]

This retrospective study illustrates the valuable contribution of immunological studies carried out during the third month of hepatitis. The persistence of HBs antigen at this stage of the disease considerably increases the risk of chronic hepatitis though not necessarily implying progression to cirrhosis. The latter should be feared if there is a marked increase in gamma globulins and in the presence of a high level of anti-smooth muscle and antinuclear antibodies. Amongst the other immunological features, an increase in IgA and IgM also indicates the possibility of progression from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis. Comparative study in chronic active hepatitis of HBs antigen and various antibodies indicates essentially three types: - CAH with Ag HBs without auto-antibodies - Auto-immune CAH without Ag HBs - CAH without auto-antibodies nor Ag HBs. Progression to cirrhosis appears to be less frequent in the first group than in the second.