Halothane aggravation of chronic liver disease.

A 33 year old woman developed a florid form of chronic active hepatitis after exposure to halothane. Histological and immunological data suggested that autoimmune type chronic active hepatitis antedated the acute hepatotoxic sequelae of the hatothane anaesthesia. Studies on the immuno regulatory functions of peripheral blood lymphocytes revealed a marked defect in suppressor cell function. It is suggested that this immunoregulatory defect in a patient with chronic liver disease may have rendered her more suscepti ble to the hepatotoxic effect of halothane or the maintenance of damaging immune reactions triggered off by this anaesthetic agent.