title: Serum inhibitory factors (SIF) are of prognostic value in acute viral hepatitis.
abstract: Serum inhibitory factors (SIF) were analysed in relation to the natural course of acute viral hepatitis in 81 patients followed over a period of 1 year. 63 patients recovered completely (group 1), and 18 had a protracted course of hepatitis (group 2) as shown by persistent transaminase activity 6 months after onset. 11 patients in group 2 still had signs of liver disease after 1 year. A gradual fall of SIF activity (in 47 patients) heralded resolving hepatitis, whereas persistence of SIF (in 8 patients) correlated with inflammatory activity and failure of hepatitis B viral antigen elimination. Absence of SIF activity was associated with either an uncomplicated or a chronic course of hepatitis in 23 and 3 patients, respectively. Repeated determination of SIF may help to predict the final outcome of hepatitis. Both excessive and failure of SIF production may result in the development of chronic liver disease.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wiedmann
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Brattig
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schomerus
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dölle
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C038588:serum immunosuppressive factor, human