Serum albumin and total globulin levels in common liver diseases in Accra (Ghana).

Serum albumin and total globulin were determined in 22 healthy people, 29 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 27 patients with cirrhosis and 27 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma to see if they might be of discriminating value. The mean serum albumin values were found to be highest in the healthy subjects followed by acute viral hepatitis, primary hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, in that order. The mean serum total globulin values on the other hand, were found to be lowest in the healthy subjects followed by acute viral hepatitis, primary hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, in that order. Both the mean albumin and mean total globulin of each group of subjects were significantly different from the respective means of the other three groups. A probable explanation for the higher serum albumin and lower globulin levels found in primary hepatocellular carcinoma, as compared to cirrhosis, is that hepatocellular carcinoma occurs in reasonably well-compensated cases of cirrhosis.