CHRONIC HEPATITIS: IMPORTANT LIVER DISEASE TO DIAGNOSE

摘要

Copper associated chronic hepatitis has been documented and is discussed below. Drug-induced hepatitis, specifically primidone, Phenobarbital and diethylcarbamazine oxibendazole, has been reported to produce chronic hepatitis in some dogs. Recently wehave also observed dogs receiving chronic carprofen to have changes representing chronic hepatitis. Infectious agents such as leptospirosis and infectious canine hepatitis are also a cause of chronic hepatitis. Possibly other infectious agents may be responsible as well. Alphal-antitrypsin (AAT - also referred to as alpha one protease inhibitor) deficiency in the serum leading to accumulation of AAT in the hepatocytes is known to cause chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in man. Recent investigation by researchers in Sweden using immunostaining for AAT in hepatocytes found many dogs with chronic hepatitis to be positive. The breed most often associated with AAT accumulation was the cocker spaniel.