HBsAg, HBcAg and delta-Ag in liver tissue: simultaneous visualization in a single tissue section by triple immunostaining.
The distribution pattern of HBsAg, HBcAg and Delta-Ag was investigated by immunohistochemistry in a series of paraffin embedded liver tissue specimens from 45 subjects with serum HBsAg and anti-Delta antibody positivity. An indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used. Stains for HBsAg, HBcAg and Delta-Ag were alternatively carried out on serial tissue sections and, for the first time, consecutively in a single section (triple immunostaining). Simultaneous presence of all antigens occurred in 7 out of 45 cases, and of two antigens (HBsAg and Delta-Ag) in the remaining 38. Two antigens (either HBsAg and HBcAg or HBcAg and Delta-Ag) could also be shown in the same cell. A series of new observations was forwarded by the successful application of triple immunostaining in the present series: 1) high frequence of simultaneous presence of HBcAg and Delta-Ag (7 out of 45 cases = 16%); 2) cytoplasmic localization of Delta-Ag; 3) localization of HBcAg on the cell membrane of HBsAg positive Ground-Glass (G-G) hepatocytes; 4) Ground-Glass appearance of hepatocytic cytoplasm associated with exclusive content of HBcAg (HBcAg-Ground-Glass: a new variant of G-G-hepatocytes).
Facchetti
F
F
1st Department of Pathology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy.
Tardanico
R
R
Bonetti
M F
MF
Guerini
A
A
Callea
F
F
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; C442244:hepatitis delta virus large antigen