1 Clinica Malattie Infettive, Università di Firenze, Ospedale Meyer via L. Giordano, 13, 50132 Firenze, Italy
The increase in the ESR in type A hepatitis could be explained by changes in the serum protein levels6 in the course of acute viral hepatitis and/or by the different inflammatory activity of the underlying disease.
It can therefore be concluded that, although the clinical value of the ESR has provoked controversy in the past, it can be a very useful additional test as a diagnostic aid in the differentiation of the two types of viral hepatitis, when tested early in the disease. It is furthermore possible that the ESR is an auxiliary means to distinguish patients suffering from type A hepatitis unassociated with HBsAg although carriers of it.
See table in the PDF.file