As for serum HGF levels, there was a significant increase consistent with the severity of hepatitis (non-SH: 0.8 ± 0.7 ng/mL, SH: 2.1 ± 1.4 ng/mL, ALF: 4.6 ± 2.6 ng/mL, P < 0.01) (Fig. 1). This evidence concerns the gene HGF and hepatitis A virus infection.