Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity of serum in mice with viral hepatitis.

Experimental infectious mouse hepatitis is associated with an increase in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity of the serum (SGO-T). A relationship appears to exist between the rise in SGO-T activity and (a) the size of the virus inoculum, (b) the blood virus titer, and (c) the degree of liver necrosis. Trauma to the liver following partial hepatectomy results in a rise in SGO-T activity in mice. Although mouse hepatitis differs from human hepatitis in the incubation period, histological changes, and natural course, both infections bring about comparable changes in SGO-T activity.