Infectious hepatitis in a college football player

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• A case of infectious hepatitis occurred in a collegiate football player during fall practice in 1974.
• This prompted a clinical and laboratory investigation of all individuals associated with the football program.

Observation:

• All participants in the football program were administered immune serum globulin as a prophylactic measure.
• No additional cases of infectious hepatitis were identified following the intervention.

Findings:

• Serum chemistry and enzyme levels were assessed, though under uncontrolled conditions.
• Elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were generally observed in the participants.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention in preventing outbreaks of infectious hepatitis in close-contact settings.
• The use of immune serum globulin appeared effective in controlling the spread of the virus.
• Monitoring of liver enzymes can provide insights into the impact of hepatitis, even in non-outbreak scenarios.