Systemic endotoxemia during chronic viral hepatitis

Incidence and severity of systemic endotoxemia in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C were studied using the limulus test. Healthy subjects and patients with acute viral hepatitis B and C comprised reference groups. The incidence of physiological systemic endotoxemia in healthy subjects was 31.3%, while in chronic hepatitis systemic endotoxemia was found in 69-84% patients and it was more severe in this case. A significant correlation was revealed between systemic endotoxemia with virus replication and the degree of basic clinical and laboratory signs in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B.