[Amyloidosis in liver biopsies].
BACKGROUND
We reassessed the histopathology and origin of amyloid in liver biopsies.


METHODS
All liver biopsies were retrieved from a series of 588 cases with histologically confirmed amyloidosis submitted between February 2006 and January 2009 to the Amyloid Registry of the Charité University Hospital. Liver biopsies had been fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. 3-5 microm thick paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Congo red. Amyloid was classified immunohistochemically, using antibodies directed against amyloid P-component, AA amyloid, apolipoprotein AI, fibrinogen, lysozyme, lambda- and kappa-light chain, and transthyretin.


RESULTS
Amyloid was found in 46 liver biopsies (29 men, 17 women; mean age 60 years, range 34-87 years). Immunohistochemical classification succeeded in 42 cases. AL amyloidosis was present in 40 (87%) cases and was further categorized into AL amyloid of lambda-light chain origin in 26 (57%) cases, and kappa-light chain origin in 14 (30%) cases. ATTR and AA amyloidosis were found in a single patient each (2%). In 4 (9%) cases, amyloid remained unclassified.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic amyloidosis is most commonly AL amyloid of lambda- and kappa-light chain origin and is often associated with marked parenchymal atrophy.
Gioeva
Z
Z
Institut für Pathologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Kieninger
B
B
Röcken
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000682:Amyloid / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D001284:Atrophy; D001604:Berlin; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000032:analysis; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis
D000682:Amyloid; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; C035222:amyloid protein AL