Abstract
In 48 young drug users without signs or symptoms of liver disease, the authors undertook research on Australia antigen (Ag Au) and studied the behaviour of certain serum parameters of the liver function. The total incidence of Ag Au proved to be 10.4% and 8.3% using the radioimmunological and immunoelectrophoretic method respectively. In 83.4% of the cases the liver function tests were variously altered. In all the subjects the parameters of synthesis were normal; in half of them transaminase and the γ glutamyl transpeptidase values were pathologic. A smaller percentage of the drug users (about 20%) presented pathological values of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and serum γ globulins. The distribution of the altered parameters was not homogenous and did not give a definition of the prevailing type of liver damage. There is, however, an elevated incidence of hepatic alterations in these apparently healthy individuals.
| Translated title of the contribution | Incidence of Australia antigen and of hepatic changes in asymptomatic drug addicts |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 655-664 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Fegato |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 1973 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)