Abstract
Hepatic function has been periodically tested in 125 patients who were operated for the pulmonary tuberculosis since June, 1954. (Two of these who have not received the blood transfusion, consequently did not show the hepatic damage.)
1. Criteria of hepatic damage. Serum transaminase values and bilirubin index (Meulengracht) were determined as the indication of the hepatic damage. The cases which show the transaminase value over 160 unit and the bilirubin index over 11 are considered to be hepatic damage.
2. Frequency of the tests. These tests have been performed every two weeks in the first three months, then every month in the consequent months at least for six months.
3. 64 of 133 cases (48.1%) showed hepatic damage and 19 of these cases (14.6%) had jaundice.
4. In the type of blood donnation, commercial based blood showed 57 cases of liver damage in 115 (49.2%) and donative blood 7 of 18 (38.9%). The latter was 10% less than the former.
5. In majority of the cases (80%) hepatic damage and jaundice developed within first three months after blood transfusion.
6. The hepatic damage and jaundice lasted for about three months in 80% of the total cases. The grade of jaundice does not show any significance in the duration of hepatic damage.
7. The relationship between tuberculosis type (NTA) and hepatic damage was not noted.
