Transfusion-related short-incubation hepatitis in hemophilic patients.

Nine episodes of a unique short-incubation form of hepatitis were observed during five years in six hemophilic children after infusion with commercial factor VIII concentrate prepared by two different manufacturers. Five patients with a single episode had no previous infusion for 14 months to 14 years. One patient with several episodes had no previous infusion for at least seven months preceding each episode. The illness was mild and self-limited. No seroconversions to cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, toxoplasmosis, or hepatitis A virus occurred. Acute hepatitis B virus infection was also excluded. The findings suggest the presence of one or more non-A, non-B hepatitis agents associated with factor VIII concentrates.