[Alcoholic hepatitis].

Alcoholic hepatitis is defined by histological findings, i.e. Mallory bodies, necrosis and polynuclear infiltration. It may be accompanied by steatosis and more or less advanced fibrosis. The clinical picture is variable, ranging from a total absence of symptoms to high fever, jaundice and encephalopathy. Laboratory findings reveal high polynuclear white cell counts, SGOT (but not SGPT) and glutamate dehydrogenase levels. The prognosis varies according to the series studied. The pathogenesis is unclear but cellular and humoral immunity mechanisms may play a role. Therapeutic possibilities are limited, corticosteroids only being useful in very serious cases. Alcoholic hepatitis is not a nosological entity but an acute inflammatory reaction of the liver due to cell necrosis caused by alcohol, and can therefore occur at any stage of alcoholic liver.