Hapten carrier conjugates associated with halothane hepatitis.

The elucidation of the mechanism of hepatitis caused by the inhalation anesthetic agent halothane (CF3CHClBr) (Satoh et al., 1987; Neuberger and Kenna, 1987; Weis and Engelhardt, 1989) is important since halothane is still widely used in adults in the United Kingdom and Europe (Neuberger and Kenna, 1987; Weis and Engelhardt, 1989) and is often an agent of choice for children (Hals et al., 1986; Whitburn and Sumner, 1986; Kenna et al., 1987a). Also, recent reports suggest that the structurally related inhalation anesthetic enflurane (CHF2OCF2CHFCl), which is widely used in adults in the United States, may cause liver damage by a similar process (Christ et al., 1988a; Christ et al., 1988b).