Chronic Hepatitis Caused by the Hepatitis A Virus

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Abstract
The case of a young man with hepatitis A and a chronic course is presented. The patient recived a short course of steroid therapy for recurrence of symptoms following acute hepatitis A. Thereafter liver enzymes have remained marginally elevated for 4 years and annual liver biopsies have shown evidence of chronicity. HAV IgM Ab persisted for 1034 days with subsequent development of HAV IgG Ab. The possiblity of other viruses in the aetiology and the role of steroids in the development of chronicity are discussed.