Hepatic decompensation associated with hepatitis B e antigen clearance in chronic type B hepatitis

Gastroenterology. 1985 Oct;89(4):732-5. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(85)90566-9.

Abstract

To examine hepatic decompensation associated with acute exacerbation preceding hepatitis B e antigen clearance in chronic type B hepatitis, 376 patients with chronic hepatitis who were hepatitis B e antigen-positive were prospectively studied for up to 7 yr (mean 25 mo). Among the 165 patients who underwent hepatitis B e antigen clearance, 4 patients experienced hepatic decompensation and one of them eventually developed hepatic encephalopathy and died. The incidence of hepatic decompensation associated with hepatitis B e antigen clearance was 2.4%. We suggest that such an event in previously unrecognized chronic hepatitis B carriers could have been erroneously interpreted as acute or subacute hepatic failure, and that it might have been the result of a stronger enhancement of the host immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Liver Diseases / physiopathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antigens
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens