title: Course and outcome of acute type B hepatitis in heavy alcohol abusers.
abstract: The course and outcome of acute type B hepatitis was analyzed in 30 heavy alcohol abusers. The course of the disease was very similar to that found among non-drinkers, the only difference being higher mean GGT activity and a higher frequency of hepatomegaly among alcoholics. All alcohol abusers cleared the infection in the space of 6 months. However, 2 months after admission, they were twice as likely to be HBsAg positive as controls. We conclude that alcohol abuse has little influence on the course and outcome of acute type B hepatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunopathology, Institute of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laskus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slusarczyk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lupa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cianciara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens