title: [Transitional CK19 positive cells-a new possible marker of hepatic precancerous lesion].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between Transitional CK19 positive cells and hepatic precancerous lesion in chronic hepatitis B patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We observed the expression of CK19 in liver tissue of chronic hepatitis B patients by LSAB immunohistochemical staining, and examined serum AFP and ultrasonography one time per 3 months for one year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a population of CK19 positive cells-with size and structure between those of human oval cells and mature hepatocytes-that usually occurred along with oval-cell proliferation. It was suggested that these transitional cells may partly account for the elevation of serum AFP. One patient occurred hepatic carcinoma, another patient had low-echogenic nodules in liver parenchyma within the 1 year follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transitional CK19 positive cells could be regarded as a new possible pathological marker of hepatic precancerous lesion.
authors.affiliation: Beijing You'an Hospital, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhong-ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Bao-en
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ji-dong
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Guang-yong
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007633:Keratins