Chronic active hepatitis in alcoholics

In 42 chronic alcohol abusers liver biopsy was performed and chronic active hepatitis was diagnosed in 11 cases. In 4 cases etiology could be attributed to chronic HBV infection--they were positive for HBsAg in serum, three were positive for HBeAg and one case had anti-delta antibodies. In 7 cases etiology was obscure, at least in some of them alcohol could have been the underlying factor. Liver disease in these particular cases was clinically more severe than chronic active hepatitis due to infection with HBV and non-A, non-B viruses in non-drinkers. Two cases progressed into liver decompensation despite 1 and 2 years of abstinence, respectively. Chronic active hepatitis in alcoholics constitutes a frequent pathology, its etiology is variable, in some cases obscure.