Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: Sorting through a Diagnosis of Exclusion

Editorials15 April 1989Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: Sorting through a Diagnosis of ExclusionMiriam J. Alter, PhDMiriam J. Alter, PhDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-110-8-583 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptSince the development of diagnostic tests for hepatitis B virus and its elimination as the major cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis, non-A, non-B hepatitis has been recognized by a diagnosis of exclusion. Although many putative agents and diagnostic assays have been reported, none has stood the test of time, and those searching for the elusive cause of this disease have been frustrated. The plight of clinicians has also been frustrating as they have to explain the meaning of non-A, non-B hepatitis to patients and to blood donors who have abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels or antibody to hepatitis B core antigen...References1. AlterHadlerFrancisMaynard MSDJ. The epidemiology of non-A, non-B hepatitis in the United States. In: Dodd RY, Barker LF, eds. Infection, Immunity, and Blood Transfusion. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc.; 1985:71-9. Google Scholar2. AlterPurcellHolland HRP. Clinical and serological analysis of transfusion-associated hepatitis. Lancet. 1975;2:838-41. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Dienstag J. Non-A, non-B hepatitis. I. Recognition, epidemiology, and clinical features. Gastroenterology. 1983;85:439-62. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. AlterGeretySmallwood MRL. Sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis: frequency and epidemiology in an urban U.S. population. J Infect Dis. 1982;145:886-93. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. AlterHadlerMargolis MSH. 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Sánchez-Tapias, MD, Josep M. Barrera, MD, Josep Costa, PhD, MarÍa G. Ercilla, MD, Albert Parés, MD, Lluis Comalrrena, MD, Francesc Soley, MD, Jordi Bruix, MD, Xavier Calvet, MD, MarÍa P. Gil, MD, Antoni Mas, MD, Miquel Bruguera, MD, Ricard Castillo, MD, Joan Rodés, MDAn Assay for Circulating Antibodies to a Major Etiologic Virus of Human Non-A, Non-B HepatitisDiscovery of the Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis Virus: The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End 15 April 1989Volume 110, Issue 8Page: 583-585KeywordsAlanine aminotransferaseAntigensBlood donorsHepatitisHepatitis A virusHepatitis BHepatitis B virus Issue Published: 15 April 1989 PDF downloadLoading ...