[Liver cirrhosis in Asia and Africa].

Whereas in Europe and North America high alcohol consumption is a very frequent cause of cirrhosis of the liver, im many Asian and African countries hepatitis B virus is the most important etiologic agent. Own observations in 345 patients with liver cirrhosis serve to illustrate the etiologic factors, age, sex and causes of death of this disease in Japan. 25 of the patients also had primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B virus infection appears to be a frequent cause of cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma in Asia and Africa.