A correlative study on serum cholylglycine levels in hepatobiliary disease.

The serum cholylglycine (CG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin levels were studied in 210 patients with hepatobiliary disease and in 70 healthy subjects. Serum CG concentrations in all the hepatobiliary diseases were found to be significantly higher than those of their controls. Patients with abnormal increases in ALT and bilirubin levels also showed raised CG concentrations; however, some patients with normal ALT and bilirubin levels, still had markedly elevated CG values. Patients with hepatic cirrhosis had high serum CG levels, followed, in descending order, by chronic active hepatitis and chronic persistent hepatitis. In the cholecystitis and cholelithiasis cases, their CG levels were significantly higher than those of the controls but lower than the values in hepatic disease patients; however, more cholecystitis cases had abnormally high serum bilirubin levels than CG. The results also show that serum CG concentrations vary in the different hepatobiliary diseases, and that serial CG measurements are more sensitive than measuring ALT and bilirubin levels in the diagnosis of hepatic diseases. Serum CG can be used as an index for evaluating the activity of chronic hepatitis; it can also be employed as a diagnostic tool in cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.     

乙肝病毒载量与血清标志物及ALT相关性研究

探讨了乙型肝炎病毒核酸(HBV-DNA)水平与乙型肝炎免疫标志物(HBVM)和丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的关系。分别采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR),酶联免疫法和连续监测法检测了345例血清标本HBV-DNA含量,HBVM(HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、抗HBcIgM)表达及ALT水平。HBsAg、HBeAg(和抗HBcIgM)阳性患者HBV DNA阳性率要明显高于HBsAg、HBeAb(和抗HBcIgM)阳性患者、仅HBsAg阳性患者及HBsAb、HBeAb阳性患者(P<0.01)。血清HBeAg阳性标本HBV-DNA阳性率为98.7%,明显高于HBeAg阴性标本的61.6%(P<0.01),并且血清HBeAg阳性标本HBV-DNA含量(log值,7.42±1.43)也明显高于HBeAg阴性标本(4.36±1.73)(P<0.01);在HBV-DNA含量小于107copy/mL的标本中,ALT与HBV-DNA含量呈正相关(P<0.01)。血清中HBV DNA含量与乙型肝炎免疫标志物以及肝细胞损伤三者之间存在密切的关系,在临床工作中应对血清HBVM、ALT和HBV-DNA含量联合检测,这样才能更准确地判断患者病情、预后及指导抗病毒药物的应用。     

Serum malondialdehyde: possible use for the clinical management of chronic hepatitis C patients

Serum lipid peroxidation products are increased in inflammatory liver disease and, as we previously reported, also in chronic hepatitis C. We have performed a specific assay of malondialdehyde, the reported most abundant product of lipid peroxidation, in serum of twenty four chronic hepatitis C patients, before, during, and after interferon treatment. Liver biopsies were performed in each patient before and after interferon treatment. The results show higher serum malondialdehyde values in chronic hepatitis C patients than healthy subjects (n = 68) before interferon treatment (p < .001). Mean value of serum malondialdehyde levels after interferon treatment was significantly lower than before it (p < .002). Associating the histopathological findings in each of the 48 biopsies performed, with serum malondialdehyde and alanine aminotransferase activity levels, of the sample obtained the same day of biopsy, a much better correspondence with the histopathological severity was observed for malondialdehyde concentration than for alanine aminotransferase activity. These levels decreased significantly after interferon treatment. However, when the patients were grouped in responding (group I; n = 9) and non-responding (group II; n = 15) to interferon treatment, according to the histopathological findings before and after interferon, the values of group I before interferon treatment were significantly higher than group II (p < .03). Thus, a potential predictive value could be ascribed to the serum malondialdehyde levels before interferon treatment in these patients. We propose the utility of the specific assay of malondialdehyde for the clinical management of chronic hepatitis C patients.     

Trends in speciation analysis of some heavy metals in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B using differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurement and atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The relationships between chronic liver diseases and trace heavy metal contents in blood are debatable and have not been understood clearly. The present study is undertaken to determine Co, Fe, and Ni concentrations in sera from viral hepatitis patients. In all eighty patients with chronic hepatitis (B, C) and 29 healthy individuals were chosen for this study. Donors were selected from different environmental areas, including Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu as polluted areas, and Daraw as an unpolluted area. Co, Fe, and Ni concentrations in patient and healthy blood serum were measured by two different analytical techniques: differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPA_dSV) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results reveal that Fe is present in higher level in the blood serum of hepatitis patients than in the healthy control, whereas Co and Ni showed the opposite trend. Hepatitis patients from Edfu area exhibited higher Fe level in their serum than those from the other areas, while hepatitis patients and healthy control from Daraw area (free from pollution) exhibited the lowest metal values. Patients with hepatitis C show lower levels of Co, Ni, and Fe in their serum than those with hepatitis B. A comparative study was carried out between the results using DPA_dSV and AAS techniques, which are in very good agreements.     

Laboratory assessment of chronic hepatitis in Syrian hamsters.

Clinical chemistry studies in the diagnosis of hamster diseases have received little attention. Although normal values exist for serum constituents, the effects of disease on these values are not well documented. Chronic hepatitis is endemic in several Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) colonies and is reported mainly through routine histologic examination. We investigated whether any differences in serum clinical chemistries were present in animals with hepatobiliary disease versus unaffected hamsters. Only serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bile acids were significantly elevated in hamsters with chronic hepatitis only. In hamsters that had both chronic hepatitis and biliary disease, the serum ALT, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and bile acids were significantly elevated. The results of this study indicated that serum clinical chemistries may be a useful antemortem diagnostic test for chronic hepatobiliary disease in hamsters.     

乙肝患者血清的HBV-DNA含量与ALT水平的关系研究

目的:探讨和研究乙型肝炎患者乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)DNA复制水平与丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)水平之间的关系,为临床中乙肝患者的诊治提供参考。方法:对240例慢性乙型肝炎患者采用荧光标记定量PCR方法测定血清HBV-DNA含量,采用全自动生化分析仪测定血清ALT水平,比较和分析HBV-DNA含量与ALT水平之间的关系。结果:慢性乙肝轻、中、重度患者的HBV-DNA含量三组之间差异有统计学意义(p0.01),肝脏的损害程度与HBV-DNA含量之间具有一定的关联,等级相关系数为0.162(P=0.012);ALT水平也与HBV-DNA载量之间存在关联,等级相关系数为0.371(P0.0001)。结论:肝损伤程度与HBV-DNA含量有显著相关性;同时血清ALT水平与HBV-DNA含量呈正相关。检测血清中的HBV-DNA含量和ALT水平为指导乙肝患者HBV感染、复制、传染性的判断、治疗方案的选择和疗效评定提供有一定的依据。     

Comparative study of C-Reactive Protein and other biochemical parameters in patients with hepatitis B and malaria in Calabar, Nigeria

Serum levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin and globulins were investigated using high sensitivity Immunoturbidometric and colorimetric techniques in individuals with hepatitis (n=50), Malaria (n=50) and 40 control subjects in age range of 30 to 65 years. The hepatitis patients had a significantly higher (P < 0.01) level of aminotransferases when compared to malaria patients and control subjects. The mean value of ALT was 103.50 ± 71.4 IU/L and 46.72 ±17.48 IU/L for hepatitis and malaria respectively. The values for AST were 116.76 ± 63.27 IU/L and 57.74 IU/L ± 15.18 IU/L for hepatitis and malaria respectively while the values for control were 34.75 ± 14.64 and 35.25 ± 15.56 IU/L for AST and ALT respectively. The malaria patients showed a significantly higher level (P < 0.01) of aminotransferases when compared to the control. The mean serum CRP levels were 0.71 ± 0.11 mg/dL and 0.78 ± 0.13 mg/dL for hepatitis and malaria respectively. These values were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of the controls which was 0.32 ± 0.12 mg/dL. The values of CRP in malaria were significantly higher (P< 0.05) when compared with hepatitis. In malaria, AST correlated with CRP (r = 0.58). The mean serum proteins of hepatitis patients were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the control and malaria while there were no significant differences between the total protein in malaria when compared with control. Albumin levels in both patients were significantly lower (P > 0.05) than those of the controls. The mean values were 33.40 ± 3.40g/L and 34.47 ± 3.56g/L for hepatitis and malaria respectively and 37.00 ± 3.43 g/L for the control. C-reactive protein correlated negatively with albumin in malaria (r = -0.26) while albumin had a negative correlation with globulin(r = -0.36). Also albumin-globulin ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in both patients when compared with controls. This result suggests that a systemic acute phase response is present in hepatitis and malaria patients hence measurement of C-reactive proteins may be helpful in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis and malaria; especially in the malaria endemic region such as Nigeria. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Malaria, C-reactive protein, Liver function tests.     

乙型肝炎患者凝血功能与胱抑素C 联合检测的临床意义

目的:探讨乙型肝炎患者凝血功能与血清胱抑素C联合检测的临床诊断价值。方法:收集260例乙型肝炎患者为实验组及健康者70例为对照组,采用全自动凝血分析仪进行活化部分凝血酶时间(APTT)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)的测定,采用全自动生化分析仪进行血清胱抑素C、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、血清γ谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)的检测。结果:除急性肝炎组外,其他各组乙型肝炎患者的APTT、PT值均高于对照组(P<0.05)。重型肝炎和肝炎肝硬化组FIB值均低于对照组(P<0.05);对于血清胱抑素C水平,除急性肝炎组外,其他各组值均明显高于健康对照组(P<0.05),且肝炎肝硬化组依次高于重型肝炎组和慢性肝炎组。各实验组ALT和AST水平均明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而对于GGT水平,重型肝炎组和肝炎肝硬化组明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:联合检测APTT、PT、FIB凝血功能指标与血清胱抑素C水平,对临床判断乙型肝炎患者病变程度及预后具有重要意义。     

Prevalence of hepatitis B antibodies in hospital personnel.

Of 426 hospital staff tested for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBS) by the radioimmunoassay method 57 (13.4%) had positive results. Laboratory staff had the highest prevalence, followed by nurses, and both values were significantly higher than that of administrative staff. Clerical staff working in laboratories were at the same risk for hepatitis B as general-duty nurses. Significantly more staff with anti-HBS had a history of hepatitis (19.3%) compared with staff without anti-HBS (79%), and significantly more staff with a history of hepatitis had anti-HBS (25.6%) compared with staff without such a history (12.0%). History of blood transfusions was not related to prevalence of anti-HBS. The risk for hepatitis B is greater in hospital staff who are in direct contact with patients or handle patients'' blood and other specimens. However, contact with patients is less important than contact with patients'' blood and other specimens.     

Serological differential diagnosis of viral hepatitis in adults.

Serum samples from different groups of adults were tested for HBsAg and IHxAg, using a complement-fixation microtest and the Indian-ink immune reaction, respectively. (i) In healthy men 18-24 years of age, living in camps in closed communities, HBsAg was demonstrated in 1.5%, IHxAg in 12.2%, and both antigens in 0.7%. The incidence of HBsAg positivity seems to be age-dependent and influenced by environmental factors. (ii) For patients hospitalized with liver and/or biliary-tract diseases other than hepatitis, the respective percentages were 10, 13.5 and 4.5%. (iii) Of the cases clinically diagnosed as infectious hepatitis (IH, hepatitis A) or serum hepatitis (SH, hepatitis B), 14% were positive for both antigens whereas 10% were double-negative; 76% were positive for either HBsAg or IHxAg. In two-thirds of the single-positive cases the demonstrated antigen agreed with the clinical diagnosis, in one-third the unexpected antigen was present. (iv) SGPT and thymol turbidity values agreed better with the serological findings that with the clinical diagnosis. The number of days in hospital appeared to be related to both the serological findings and the clinical diagnosis. The clinical course was the most severe for those having both antigens in blood. (v) IHxantibodies from early convalescence were sensitive, those from a later stage were resistant, to 2-mercaptoethanol. (vi) No correlation was found between the presence of IHxAg and that of the rheumatoid factor. (vii) The IHx Indian-ink reaction is disturbed by the presence of labile serum proteins while the essentially similar reverse passive haemagglutination reaction was not affected by them. (viii) Testing for IHxAg seems to be a procedure valuable in the differential diagnosis of IH and SH, though the results are less convincing in adult age than in childhood.     

Determination of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen by means of immune adherence hemagglutination.

A simple and rapid method utilizing immune adherence hemagglutination has been developed for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAG) was prepared from Dane particles that had been isolated from plasma of asymptomatic antigen carriers. The method was specific and about 10 times more sensitive than the conventional complement-fixation method. A total of 215 serum samples obtained from healthy blood donors were surveyed for HBsAG and anti-HEc, as well as for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAG (anti-HBs). Anti-HBc was found in 36 serum samples, at a prevalence rate higher than that of anti-HBs (31/215)...     

Determination of Copper and Iron in Biological Samples of Viral Hepatitis (A–E) Female Patients

There is accumulative evidence that the metabolism of iron and copper is altered in viral hepatic diseases, and these nutrients might have specific roles in their pathogenesis and progress. The aim of present study was to compare the level of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) in biological samples (serum, urine, and scalp hair) of female patients suffering from different viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E; n?=?253) of age range 31–45 years. For comparative study, 95 healthy females of the same age group residing in the same city were selected. The elements in the biological samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by using certified reference materials (CRMs) and with those values obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on same CRMs. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cu and Fe were higher in sera and scalp hair samples of hepatitis patients than age-matched control subjects, while the difference was significant (p?<?0.001), in the cases of viral hepatitis B and viral hepatitis C as compared to viral hepatitis A, D, and E. The urinary levels of these elements were found higher in the hepatitis patients than in the age-matched healthy controls (p?<?0.05). These results are consistent with literature-reported data, confirming that hepatic iron and copper overload can directly cause lipid peroxidation and eventually hepatic damage.     

乙型肝炎患者体液免疫功能、肝纤维化指标及α1-MG、TGF-β1水平分析

目的:探讨乙型肝炎患者体液免疫功能、肝纤维化程度及血清中α1-MG、TGF-β1水平的变化。方法:选取2016年1月~2018年10月我院收治的轻度乙型肝炎患者60例为轻度组,重度乙型肝炎患者60例为重度组及同期来我院体检的健康志愿者60例为对照组。检测并比较三组患者血清中补体C3、补体C4、肝纤维化指标及α1-微球蛋白(α1-MG)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)水平。结果:乙型肝炎患者血清中补体C3及补体C4水平明显低于对照组;重度组患者血清中补体C3及补体C4水平明显低于轻度组患者(P<0.05)。乙型肝炎患者血清中各肝纤维化指标水平明显高于对照组;重度组患者血清中各肝纤维化指标水平明显高于轻度组患者(P<0.05)。乙型肝炎患者血清中α1-MG水平明显低于对照组,TGF-β1水平明显高于对照组;重度组患者血清中α1-MG水平明显低于轻度组,TGF-β1水平明显高于轻度组(P<0.05)。结论:乙型肝炎病毒感染可导致患者免疫功能水平下降,肝脏纤维化及细胞因子水平紊乱,且上述指标水平的变化与疾病进展程度密切相关,临床治疗时需加强对上述指标的监测。     

Serum zinc as a factor predicting response to interferon-alpha2b therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B

Although it has been unclear why more than 50% of children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection do not respond to interferon therapy, in some instances resistance to interferon probably is caused by an inability to stimulate appropriately cellular immune responses to hepatitis B virus. It is known that immune integrity is tightly linked to zinc status. We examined the relationship between serum zinc levels and response to interferon (INF)-α therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B. Twenty-five children with chronic hepatitis B infection were injected with 5 × 10⁶ units/m² recombinant IFN-α 2b subcutaneously three times weekly for 9 mo. Children were followed for at least 9 mo after the end of therapy. Sustained response was obtained in eight (32%) patients. Although initial serum zinc and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly higher; initial hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-DNA values, hepatic activity index, periportal necrosis, and fibrosis scores were significantly lower in sustained responders than in nonresponders. Mean baseline serum zinc, alanine aminotransferase and HBV-DNA values, histologic activity index, periportal necrosis, and fibrosis scores were predictive of response to IFN-α 2b therapy. These findings suggest that serum zinc levels might be used as a factor predicting response to interferon-α 2b therapy, and so may help in identifying those children with a better chance of response.     

Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of hepatitis C in a gastroenterology/hepatology practice in Ottawa.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical and epidemiologic features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a gastroenterology/hepatology practice in Ottawa. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PATIENTS: Sixty-three consecutive patients found to be anti-HCV positive. Their charts were analysed with respect to risk factors, history of hepatitis, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and the presence of hepatitis B markers. The long-term sexual partners of 29 patients agreed to undergo HCV antibody testing. RESULTS: Of the patients 48 (76%) had been exposed to HCV parenterally: 27 used intravenous drugs, and 21 had received blood or blood products. Eleven patients did not have any known risk factor (sporadic infection), but eight of them had lived in countries where hepatitis C may be more prevalent; the other three had locally acquired infection. The mean serum AST level at the first visit was 140 (normally less than 40) IU/L. At least one hepatitis B marker was identified in 33% of the patients. None of the sexual partners who were tested were anti-HCV positive. CONCLUSION: Most cases of hepatitis C in Ottawa are acquired through parenteral exposure; sexual transmission is rare. Sporadic infection in the Ottawa region is rare but may be more common in people from countries with a higher prevalence rate of hepatitis C. Most cases of hepatitis C are asymptomatic.     

ERCP术与腹腔镜手术治疗胆总管结石的疗效对比及对血清AST、ALT、ALP的影响

目的:探讨内镜逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)与腹腔镜手术治疗胆总管结石的疗效对比及对血清门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)的影响。方法:选择2017年4月到2018年4月我院接诊的胆总管结石患者50例作为研究对象,以随机数表法分为观察组(n=26)和对照组(n=24),对照组使用腹腔镜手术治疗,观察组采用ERCP取石术治疗。比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后下床时间、住院时间、血清AST、ALT、ALP水平变化情况、术后胃肠道恢复时间及术后不良反应发生情况。结果:观察组患者手术时间高于对照组,(P0.05),术中出血量、术后下床时间及住院时间均显著低于对照组(P0.05);手术前,两组患者血清AST、ALT、ALP水平无明显差异;治疗后,两组患者血清AST、ALT、ALP水平均明显上升(P0.05),且观察组患者血清AST、ALT、ALP水平显著低于对照组(P0.05);观察组患者肠鸣音恢复时间、排气时间、排便时间均明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗期间,观察组患者不良反应总发生率为7.69%,显著低于对照组的29.17%(P0.05)。结论:在胆总管结石患者中应用ERCP取石术效果显著,对患者血清血清AST、ALT、ALP影响较小,值得推广与运用。     

Low activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in serum of acute intrahepatic cholestasis.

Low gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activity in serum was observed in 11 patients with acute intrahepatic cholestasis (cholestatic hepatitis and fulminant hepatitis), despite a marked increase in bilirubin levels. Inhibitors of gamma-GTP were not detected in sera of these patients. Their gamma-GTP levels in the liver were significantly higher than those in chronic liver diseases. An electrophoretic study of liver gamma-GTP in acute intrahepatic cholestasis showed the same mobility as in chronic liver diseases. These results suggest that the low serum gamma-GTP activity in acute intrahepatic cholestasis is due to factors inhibiting the release of the enzyme from the liver.     

A novel TK-NOG based humanized mouse model for the study of HBV and HCV infections

The immunodeficient mice transplanted with human hepatocytes are available for the study of the human hepatitis viruses. Recently, human hepatocytes were also successfully transplanted in herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (TK)-NOG mice. In this study, we attempted to infect hepatitis virus in humanized TK-NOG mice and urokinase-type plasminogen activator-severe combined immunodeficiency (uPA–SCID) mice. TK-NOG mice were injected intraperitoneally with 6 mg/kg of ganciclovir (GCV), and transplanted with human hepatocytes. Humanized TK-NOG mice and uPA/SCID mice were injected with hepatitis B virus (HBV)- or hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive human serum samples. Human hepatocyte repopulation index (RI) estimated from human serum albumin levels in TK-NOG mice correlated well with pre-transplantation serum ALT levels induced by ganciclovir treatment. All humanized TK-NOG and uPA–SCID mice injected with HBV infected serum developed viremia irrespective of lower replacement index. In contrast, establishment of HCV viremia was significantly more frequent in TK-NOG mice with low human hepatocyte RI (<70%) than uPA–SCID mice with similar RI. Frequency of mice spontaneously in early stage of viral infection experiment (8 weeks after injection) was similar in both TK-NOG mice and uPA–SCID mice. Effects of drug treatment with entecavir or interferon were similar in both mouse models. TK-NOG mice thus useful for study of hepatitis virus virology and evaluation of anti-viral drugs.     

Secreted ERBB3 isoforms are serum markers for early hepatoma in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

Most hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is generated from chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. To discover new markers for early HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, we initiated our search in the interstitial fluid of tumor (TIF) via differential gel electrophoresis and antibody arrays and identified secreted ERBB3 isoforms (sERBB3). The performance of serum sERBB3 in diagnosis of HCC was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). The serum sERBB3 level was significantly higher in HCC than in cirrhosis (p < 0.001) and chronic hepatitis (p < 0.001). The accuracy of serum sERBB3 in detection of HCC was further validated in two independent sets of patients. In discrimination of early HCC from chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, serum sERBB3 had a better performance than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (areas under ROC [AUC]: sERBB3 vs AFP = 93.1 vs 81.0% from chronic hepatitis and 70.9 vs 62.7% from cirrhosis). Combination of sERBB3 and AFP further improved the accuracy in detection of early HCC from chronic hepatitis (AUC = 97.1%) or cirrhosis (AUC = 77.5%). Higher serum sERBB3 levels were associated with portal-vein invasion and extrahepatic metastasis of HCC (p = 0.017). Therefore, sERBB3 are serum markers for early HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.     

Multiplication of hepatitis B virus in fulminant hepatitis B.

The presence in serum of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus DNA, which are each regarded as reflecting multiplication of hepatitis B virus, were looked for one to five days after the onset of hepatic encephalopathy in 64 patients with fulminant hepatitis B. HBeAg and hepatitis B virus DNA were found in the serum of only 24 (37%) and six (9%) patients, respectively. Hepatitis B virus DNA was absent from the serum in all 13 patients positive for anti-HBs. These findings indicate that replication of hepatitis B virus stopped after the onset of hepatic encephalopathy in most of the patients and support the view that an enhanced immune response stops the replication. Agents that inhibit viral multiplication would probably not have any effect at this stage of the disease.