SPECIFIC SEROLOGICAL MARKERS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF FULMINANT HEPATIC FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH HALOTHANE ANAESTHESIA

Abstract
The etiology of massive liver-cell necrosis which developed in 16 patients following halothane anesthesia was investigated by means of new serological techniques. In 8 patients a specific halothane-related antibody was found, indicating that these patients were sensitized to halothane-altered liver-cell membrane components. In 4 patients, hepatitis A viral infection was responsible and among the remainder one was receiving anti-tuberculous drugs and one had received a blood transfusion, thus raising the possibility of a non-A non-B viral infection. There were no biochemical or histological differences between patients in the 3 groups.