[Cholestatic viral hepatitis A in adults. Clinical, biological and histopathological study of 9 cases].

OBJECTIVES

We report here 9 cases of acute viral hepatitis A leading to hospitalization between June 1989 and October 1992. The main feature was a marked and protracted cholestasis.

RESULTS

Jaundice lasted an average of 77 +/- 39 days (range: 30-120) and total serum bilirubin concentrations were 265 +/- 184 mumol/L (range: 51-560). IgM anti-HAV was present in the serum for 6.3 +/- 5.5 months (median: 4, range: 2-19). Histopathological examination of the liver was performed in 6 patients and most showed intralobular cholestasis and portal tract inflammation associated with dystrophy and paucity of bile ducts. Acute renal failure was noted in one patient. In three patients, whose pruritus was not relieved by cholestyramine, plasma exchange was an effective therapy.

CONCLUSION

These case reports confirm the severity of viral hepatitis A in adults and emphasize the importance of vaccination.