title: Comparison of Histochemical Staining Methods and Correlation with Transient Elastography in Acute Hepatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare Masson's trichrome (MT), Sirius red (SR) and orcein staining in acute hepatitis (AH) and to correlate them with transient elastography (TE), a noninvasive method to assess hepatic fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated liver stiffness by TE in a cohort of 34 consecutive patients and assessed MT-, SR- and orcein-stained biopsies using the METAVIR scoring system and digital image analysis (DIA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MT and SR both showed severe fibrosis (stage III-IV, DIA = 12.7%). Orcein showed absent or mild fibrosis (stage 0-II, DIA = 4.4%; p < 0.05). In 29/34 cases (85%), stiffness values were >12.5 kPa, in keeping with SR/MT but not with orcein results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though in AH true elastic fibrosis is typically absent or mild, TE shows elevated stiffness values, in keeping with SR/MT evaluations. If not properly evaluated in the clinical context, these results would lead to an overestimation of fibrosis. Orcein is the only staining able to evidence the absence of true elastic fibrosis, which is a typical feature of AH. This is the first study comparing different staining procedures performed on AH biopsies by DIA versus TE. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
authors.affiliation: Human Pathology Section, Department of Science for Promotion of Health and Mother and Child Care, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cabibi
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calvaruso
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ingrao
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balsamo
authors.forename: Antonino Giulio
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Giannone
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petta
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Marco