[The different biochemical course of HBsAg-negative and HBsAg-positive hepatitis (author's transl)].

In 73 patients with HBsAg negative hepatitis and in 94 patients with HBsAg positive hepatitis (hepatitis B) laboratory findings were compared: GOT, GPT, AP, gamma-GT, bilirubin, sedimentation rate and gamma-globulins. In the beginning of the disease there was little difference. But comparing the maximal values patients with hepatitis B showed significantly higher GOT, GPT, de-Ritis, and bilirubin levels than patients with HBsAg-negative hepatitis. There was a correlation between de Ritis quotient and bilirubin. The difference of HBsAg negative and HBsAg positive hepatitis might be due to different reactions of cellular mediated immunity.