Syphilitic hepatitis: clinical, immunological and morphological aspects

Acta Med Acad Sci Hung. 1975;32(2):155-61.

Abstract

In 17 out of 176 cases of early syphilis (seropositive syphillis I; syphilis II) liver function tests yielded a positive result. In these patients a significant increase in the serum IgG, IgM and coeruloplasmin levels and a decrease in t4e transferrin level was found. The concentrations of alpha-2-macroglobulin and of beta-1-C-globulin were practically uneffected. Liver biopsy revealed hepatitis of variable severity in 13 patients with focal necroses or a proliferative process effecting the walls of the central veins, the arterioles and the branches of the portal vein. In 7 cases the presence of Treponema in the liver was demonstrated.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hepatitis / blood
  • Hepatitis / etiology*
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Syphilis / blood
  • Syphilis / complications*
  • Syphilis / pathology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins