The biphasic form of hepatitis A is a frequent variant in Argentina, characterized by a benign but protracted second phase with higher ALAT levels.
Recognizing biphasic HAV in Argentina may avoid unnecessary interventions during protracted recovery; leaves open generalizability beyond this cohort.
In a retrospective study, we review here the clinical presentation of patients with the biphasic form of hepatitis A, a variant of viral hepatitis characterised by an increase in ALAT levels after an initial recovery in clinical condition and laboratory tests. Twenty-one patients were diagnosed as having a biphasic form; they represent about 10% of a selected population of hepatitis A cases. Six patients were asymptomatic. Eleven patients were jaundiced, nine of them showing a "cholestatic" pattern. The second phase of the disease had a more protracted course and displayed higher ALAT levels than the first phase. The total duration of the disease was 120 +/- 28 (mean +/- SD) days, and its course was benign.
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Tanno et al. (1988) studied this question.
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