GPT and infection: The authors concluded that the liver derangement in SARS was likely a nonspecific transient reaction caused by the infection rather than by a direct cytopathic effect of SARS-CoV-1 Another study by Chan et al. [25] encompassed 294 patients, including 30 with chronic hepatitis B. Elevated ALT activity on admission was found in 24% patients, while 69% of patients developed elevated ALT during the course of illness.