ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical and pathological features of liver injury in adults with acquired rubella.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six adult patients with acquired rubella (AAR) were enrolled in this study, the liver functions were dynamically analyzed, liver biopsy was done in two patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Liver injury was found in 77.8% of the 36 patients, with slight elevation of ALT and/or AST. The highest incidence and the most serious liver injury occurred in the period of 6-10d after vanishing of the rashes. Viral inclusion bodies were found in the liver specimen, with complete histological architecture but slight inflammation. The mean hospitalization days of AAR accompanied with liver injury and without liver injury were 18.2 days, 7.8 days, respectively (u=3.596>1.96, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High incidence of liver injury is observed in the adult patients with acquired rubella occurred in recent years, usually exhibited by mild liver injury with slight elevation of ALT. The elevation of AST or jaundice may indicate more serious liver injury, and these patients should be given active treatment to prevent acute liver failure. Liver injury may prolong the course of rubella patients.</p>