CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE FOLLOWING INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS. II. CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER

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Abstract
Five patients were studied who developed clinical evidence of severe cirrhosis from 2 to 6 yrs. after an attack of infectious hepatitis. Associated bacterial infection, strenuous activity during the initial attack and during relapse, alcohol and the age of the individuals appeared to have been contributing factors in the development of cirrhosis. The clinical course of the 5 patients differed from that usually seen in Laennec''s cirrhosis in that the disease was progressive and not materially affected by therapy. Severe abnormalities in various proteins of the serum were also characteristic. The late manifestations of the disease resembled those described in the past under Banti''s syndrome. The characteristic pathological lesion was an irregular nodular hyperplasia of liver cells between broad areas of contracted reticulum and fibrous tissue. In 4 of the 5 patients the picture differed from that seen in classical Laennec''s cirrhosis. Various gradations were seen in the different patients between cirrhosis with huge nodules of regenerated liver cells widely separated by a loose fibrous tissue stroma, to finely nodular cirrhosis with regular formation of islands of parenchyma by bands of fibrous tissue.