[Aplastic anemia and viral hepatitis (posthepatitic aplastic anemia)].

AIM

To validate up-to-date policy of immunosuppressive therapy of patients with aplastic anemia (AA) which has developed either at acute or chronic phase of viral hepatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

16 patients with AA detected within 6 months (9 patients) or 12-36 months (7 patients) after acute viral hepatitis received immunosuppressive therapy (antilymphocytic globulin, cyclosporin A, splenectomy).

RESULTS

Posthepatitis aplastic anemias ran a severe and treatment-resistant course in most cases. The immunosuppressive therapy produced a response in 44% of the patients. AA following acute viral hepatitis demands intensive and long-term immunosuppressive therapy with antilymphocytic globulin, cyclosporin A, splenectomy (in some cases) to achieve a persistent clinicohematological remission.