CLINICAL-FEATURES OF SEROLOGICALLY NON-B NON-C CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE

Background/Aims: To clarify the clinical features of serologically non -B non-C chronic liver disease (SNBNCLD). Material and Methods: Two hu ndred-eleven Japanese patients hospitalized for clinical manifestation s associated with non-alcoholic chronic liver disease were tested by h epatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by reversed passive hemagglutinatio n (RPHA) and the second generation, hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) by pa ssive hemagglutination. (PHA). Results: Twenty-two patients (10.4%, 15 men and 7 women) were diagnosed as having SNBNCLD, evaluated clinical ly and compared with other close etiologies. Their clinical manifestat ions and severity of liver disease were similar to those of other etio logies. The average age was higher than hepatitis B (p<0.001), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC, p<0.05), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH, p<0.05) a nd hepatitis C. None of them had a history of blood transfusion before the onset. Concomitance of hepatoma was seen in 40.9%, being uncommon compared with hepatitis B (p<0.01) and hepatitis C (p<0.005). No sign ificant difference of the survival rate was shown compared to other et iologies. HBsAb was more frequent (36.4%) than, in hepatitis C (p<0.05 ), and disappearance of HBsAg was seen in two hepatitis B patients dur ing the follow-up period. Conclusion: Our data suggest that SNBNCLD is unique and important clinical entity associated with previous hepatit is B.