[Alanine aminotransferase is a substitute marker of viral hepatitis]

The incidence of viral hepatitis was compared in donors (n = 184532) with the increased or normal activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) without the specific markers of hepatitis - HbsAg and anti-HCV. The activity of ALT was found to retain its diagnostic values in preventing blood-transmitted diseases only with the insufficient sensitivity of the specific markers of viral hepatitis in donors. A prospective case-control study of the specific markers of the infections may be recommended to assess the quality of work of diagnostic laboratories.