Chronic active hepatitis in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. The need for liver biopsy

Four cases of chronic active hepatitis were found in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive blood donors. Despite minimal symptoms, the full histologic spectrum of chronic hepatitis was seen. Because clinically occult liver disease can be histologically severe, liver biopsy is indicated when liver enzyme levels are persistently abnormal in long-term HBsAg carriers.