Exacerbation of chronic active hepatitis type B after short-term corticosteroid therapy resulting in fatal liver failure. The case of a 36-yr-old male with chronic active type B hepatitis in whom 4-wk prednisone therapy resulted in prolonged and fatal exacerbation of liver disease is described. Thus, short-term corticosteroid therapy may in some patients have disastrous effects on the course of chronic active hepatitis B. 