FIBROSING ALVEOLITIS AND HEPATITIS-B SURFACE ANTIGEN-ASSOCIATED CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS IN A PATIENT WITH IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A DEFICIENCY

Fibrosing alveolitis is described in a 22 year old woman with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-associated chronic active hepatitis. At lung biopsy HBsAg was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in the alveolar space but not in the septal fibrosis. We discuss the possible relationships between IgA deficiency on the one hand, and HBsAg-associated lung and liver diseases on the other hand. © 1979.