Splenic function, assessed by quantification of erythrocyte membrane pits, is normal in chronic active hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis

Splenic hypofunction has been described in a number of diseases in which autoimmune mechanisms are believed to play a part. It has been reported in association with chronic active hepatitis although this relationship has not been systematically investigated. Twenty patients with chronic active hepatitis and 22 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, together with an equal number of age-matched controls for each group, were studied. Splenic function was assessed by counting pits on erythrocytes viewed under differential interference contrast microscopy. There was no difference between splenic function in either chronic active hepatitis, or primary biliary cirrhosis, and normal controls. In both groups of patients splenic hypofunction was significantly related to age.