Acute icteric viral hepatitis type A, B, D and non-A non-B. Etiologic, clinical and developmental aspects in the young man. Apropos of 423 cases
Molinié, C.; Aubert, A.; Boyer, A.; Picard, J.; Vergeau, B.; Denée, J.M.; Farret, O.; Vindrios, J.; Buisson, Y.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 14(3): 248-254
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 2111781 Document Number: 349234
In the light of the present serological tests, the etiology, clinical features and course of acute viral hepatitis were reviewed in 423 consecutive male patients. Follow-up started less than 15 days after the onset of jaundice and continued until recovery or for at least six months if recovery did not occur before them. The incidence of type A viral hepatitis decreased in France but remained high in North Africa and tropical areas. During the acute phase it differed from hepatitis type B by a lower aminotransferase level. Relapse, however, was more common, as was protraction of longer than six months. Recovery ultimately occurred. The specific IgM antibody persisted throughout the condition. Type B hepatitis differed from type A hepatitis by a mean quicker normalization of the biochemical disturbances. In the absence of superinfection by delta hepatitis virus or by a non-A, non-B virus, the progression to chronic liver disease was rare. The course of non-A, non-B hepatitis was very dissimilar according to the circumstances of occurrence. In epidemic cases rapid recovery occurred and no progression to chronicity was noted. In the other cases, relapse and chronicity were more frequent than for type A or B hepatitis. Type D hepatitis was characterized by more pronounced biochemical disturbances during the acute phase and by more frequent progression to chronicity in case of superinfection.