ACUTE NON-A-HEPATITIS, NON-B-HEPATITIS - PROLONGED PRESENCE OF THE INFECTIOUS AGENT IN BLOOD

Abstract

Non-A, non-B hepatitis, previously transmitted to chimpanzees by inoculation of human serum, was serially transmitted through a 2nd and 3rd passage to additional chimpanzees using serum drawn during acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. Sera obtained at 4 and 5 wk after inoculation from 2 different chimpanzees, and from 1 chimpanzee at 13 wk after inoculation, caused elevation of serum aminotransferase levels and abnormal liver biopsies in recipient chimpanzees, with no serologic evidence of hepatitis A or B, cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus infection. Serum obtained 3 wk after inoculation did not cause elevation of aminotransferase levels in the recipient chimpanzee, although a single abnormal biopsy was obtained. The non-A, non-B hepatitis agent was present in serum during acute disease near the time of the 1st aminotransferase elevation (4 wk; perhaps also 3 wk), and persisted at least until 1 wk after the peak aminotransferase level (13 wk).