[Clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonography features of acute viral hepatitis].

Abstract

We review the charts of the hospital with diagnostic of acute viral hepatitis. We classified them using serologic markers in hepatitis B (60 patients), hepatitis A (27 patients) and C (4 patients). Fatigue, anorexia, fever, chills and lymphadenopathy where more common in hepatitis A. Arthralgias, pruritus and rash where more common in hepatitis B. Bilirubin levels where higher in patients with hepatitis B (10.3 = -6.04 S.E:0.80) and C (9.7 +/- 4.09 S.E:1.24) compared with hepatitis A (6.7 +/- 6.04 S.E:0.80) p < 0.01 and p < 0.05. Alamine-Aminotransferase (ALT) levels where higher in patients with hepatitis B (1.918 +/- 1.099 S.E:215.5) and hepatitis A (1879 +/- 1.099 S.E:215.5) and lower in hepatitis C (988 +/- 764 E.E:382) p < 0.05. Abdominal Ultrasound reveal splenomegaly in 45% and 50% of patients with hepatitis A and C and only in 15% of patients with hepatitis B. Changes in gallbladder wall where found in 50% of patients with hepatitis A. 3.3% of patients with hepatitis B and 75% of patients with hepatitis C developed chronic infection.