[Frequency and prognostic value of the "e" system in hepatitis B virus infection].

The frequency and prognostic value of the "e" system was determined in acute and chronic hepatitis patients and in blood donors by immunodiffusion on Abott rheophoresis plates. The incidence of HBe Ag in acute viral hepatitis was 20% at the beginning of the disease; its persistance indicated a prolonged evolution and a tendency to a chronic course. The presence of anti-HBe at the beginning of the acute disease may indicate the onset of a non-B hepatitis in an HBe carrier.

[Incidence and duration of blood HBs antigen in convalescents after type B viral hepatitis].

The presence of HBs Ag was determined by contraelectrophoresis in 500 convalescents after hepatitis B, at the moment of discharge and after 1--3 and 6 months. Antigen carriage is prolonged in hepatitis B, 51% of the convalescents being positive on discharge and 10% remaining persistent carriers. This was more frequent in males, young adults and those who had suffered from mild, prolonged forms of the disease.

[Diagnostic value of serum conjugated bile acids in viral hepatitis].

Total and conjugated biliary acids were determined in a lot of 105 subjects, including 15 healthy persons, 60 with acute viral hepatitis, 10 with chronic evolutive hepatitis, 10 with cholecystophaties and dyskinesia and 10 with obstructive jaundice. A marked diminution in the proportion of conjugated biliary acids was found in acute hepatitis and cholecystopathies. Chenodioxycholic and dioxycholic acid increase in acute diseases of the liver, whereas cholic acid increases in obstructive jaundice and chronic hepatitis, with a consecutive almost threefold reduction of th ratio of trihydroxycholanic to dihydroxycholanic acids in acute lesions of the liver cells.