[Diagnostic significance of erythrocyte carbohydrate metabolism indicators in chronic subclinical HBsAG carrier state].

Erythrocytic activity of H-6-PDG and alpha-HPDG was studied in 32 chronic carriers of HBsAg free of any clinical or biochemical signs of viral hepatitis B. Puncture biopsy of the liver discovered chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) in 25 patients. 7 cases had no changes of hepatic tissue. In these patients alpha-HPDG activity remained normal while in all the HBsAg carriers with latent CPH it was very high. For H-6-PDG, the activity was enhanced in 28 and 72% of HBsAg carriers, respectively. The above biochemical tests may serve markers of latent liver involvement in subclinical HBsAg carriers.