HEPATITIS DUE TO THE INJECTION OF HOMOLOGOUS BLOOD PRODUCTS IN HUMAN VOLUNTEERS 1

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Abstract
That plasma or serum may contain a transmissible agent capable of producing hepatitis has been confirmed by the results of the inoculation of 9 human volunteers. Of 5 subjects who received intraven. injs. of a- pooled mumps convalescent plasma, 4 developed hepatitis with jaundice, and the 5th showed evidence of mild hepatitis without jaundice. Two men received intraven. injs. of plasma obtained from one of the above group 23 days after his inoculation; both developed mild hepatitis without jaundice. The donor of this plasma developed jaundice 87 days after the plasma had been taken. Two men given subcut. inoculations of yellow fever vaccine developed hepatitis, one with and one without, jaundice. The incidence of hepatitis in the total group, therefore, was 100%. In several, hepatitis would not have been detected if liver function studies had not been carried out at frequent intervals. In 6 of 9 cases, the onset of the disease occurred from 12-35 days after inoculation. This contrasts with previous estimates of the incubation period of this disease. Experiences with a rather large group of liver function studies are presented and their value in the study of this disease is emphasized. Laboratory data demonstrating the occurrence of hepatitis without jaundice are presented. Observations suggesting the generalized nature of this disease are found in the report of a case in which ileitis and mesenteric adenitis were seen at laparot-omy. The possible relation of "serum hepatitis" to the various forms of infective hepatitis is discussed.