Serum Gamma-globulins in Acute and Chronic Liver Diseases

Abstract

THE characteristic abnormality in serum proteins in both acute and chronic liver disease is an elevation in γ-globulin. In acute hepatitis the γ-globulin-levels are usually moderately elevated and the serum albumin is normal or only slightly depressed. As the hepatitis subsides the elevated γ-globulins gradually return to normal. Occasionally, hypergammaglobulinæmia persists or increases and may indicate a transition from acute to chronic hepatitis¹. In chronic liver disease, particularly chronic hepatitis and advanced cirrhosis, the elevations in the γ-globulin concentrations are similar to or somewhat greater than those seen in acute hepatitis but the percentage of the γ-globulin is considerably higher. This is due to hypoalbuminæmia resulting in total protein concentrations which are normal or low. Occasionally, particularly in chronic hepatitis, however, there is marked hypergammaglobulinæmia associated with elevations in the total serum protein.