Pathomorphological study of HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis.
A morphological investigation was carried out to study the pathological features of liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The materials consisted of liver specimens taken from 47 cases of anti-HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis (37 by surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma and 10 by autopsy), and from 21 cases of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive liver cirrhosis as the control. Liver specimens containing more than 10 regenerative nodules were examined. In addition, a histometric study was conducted to determine the degree of fibrosis and the size of regenerative nodule using a computer image-analysis system. The results showed that the histological characteristics of HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis are: (i) broadly expanded fibrous septa and small regenerative nodules; (ii) relatively strong inflammatory reaction and prominent lymphoid aggretation in the fibrous septum; and (iii) mild regenerative activity of the liver parenchyma, and infrequent liver cell dysplasia. These findings may facilitate better understanding of the pathology of HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis and more accurate pathological diagnosis by needle biopsy.
Shimamatsu
K
K
First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kage
M
M
Nakashima
O
O
Kojiro
M
M
D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies